Abstract
BackgroundThe promotion of early diagnosis is undoubtedly effective in reducing the burden of disease. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a diagnostic technology for liver cancer, but its implementation faces some challenges. Understanding the influencing factors of CEUS utilization is crucial for its successful implementation. However, such research is rare. The aims of this study were to investigate the status of CEUS utilization and its predictors in China.MethodsThrough multistage random sampling, a cross-sectional study design was conducted among physicians in charge of direct use of CEUS working at liver disease-related departments of sampled health institutions. To access the potential influencing factors of physicians' CEUS utilization, a structured questionnaire was developed based on the theoretical model, which was developed by integration of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Structural equation modeling was used to verify the proposed hypotheses, and analyze the relationship and mechanism between the factors.ResultsA total of 309 physicians were enrolled. The mean score of utilization behavior was 2.04 (SD = 1.07), and 37.22% above the mean. The favorable fitting results demonstrated that the integration of TAM and TPB was an acceptable model. SEM results also identified physicians’ intentions to use CEUS was directly associated with utilization behavior (β = 0.287, P < 0.001). Attitude (β = 0.272, P < 0.001), subjective norm (β = 0.172, P = 0.013), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.491, P < 0.001) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.108, P = 0.027) significantly influenced physicians’ intentions. Besides, subjective norm (β = 0.065, P = 0.021), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.141, P = 0.003), and perceived ease of use (β = 0.022, P = 0.033) indirectly affected physicians’ CEUS utilization.ConclusionsThe findings provide a reference for understanding the factors associated with physicians' utilization of CEUS. Additionally, the proposed measures such as building innovative and incentive environment, providing high quality and adequate training, etc., will help promote the utilization of CEUS, thereby increasing the detection rate of liver cancer, and improving the survival rate and the quality of life for liver cancer patients.
Highlights
The promotion of early diagnosis is undoubtedly effective in reducing the burden of disease
Measurement scores of all predictors and utilization behavior of Contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS) The mean score of utilization behavior was 2.04, and 37.22% scored above the mean value
In line with the findings of previous studies in the field of health technology adoption [32, 33], this study reported a significant relationship between subjective norm and perceived usefulness of CEUS, which can be described by an interesting term "internalization" [34] that physicians generally perceive the usefulness of certain technology when it is seen as useful by influential experts or other important persons [20]
Summary
The promotion of early diagnosis is undoubtedly effective in reducing the burden of disease. Contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a diagnostic technology for liver cancer, but its implementation faces some challenges. Understanding the influencing factors of CEUS utilization is crucial for its successful implementation. For the urgent demand of extending life expectance and improving quality of life, the importance of implementing effective technologies for early detection and diagnosis of liver cancer is becoming increasingly prominent [4]. Comparing with traditional ultrasonography [5, 6], contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is one of the confirmed effective technologies with higher sensitivity and specificity in liver cancer diagnosis [7]. Given the effectiveness of CEUS, it is necessary to fully understand its utilization status and potential influencing factors, so as to give full play to its expected benefits
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