Acceptance Of Services Research Articles

Intention to adopt services by AI avatar: A protection motivation theory perspective

Understanding how infection threats, such as COVID-19 affect the adoption of new non-contact services is important for the development and marketing of services that require significant investment. Combining protection motivation theory (PMT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) with service trust, and including gender and age as control variables, we investigate the factors affecting consumers' intention to adopt new AI avatar services after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was conducted through an online survey of consumers in the United States for a week. Hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling. The findings show that protection motivation theory variables more significantly influence the acceptance of new services than either the TAM variables or service trust. Furthermore, the threat-appraisal process more strongly influences attitudes and adoption intention toward a recommended protection response than the typical coping-appraisal process. Our new model expands the theory of consumer acceptance of new services by including the PMT perspective in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In practice, service providers need to reflect in their marketing strategies to reflect the observation that consumers perceive the severity and vulnerability of external threats: the greater the perceived response efficacy, the greater the adoption of a new service, in a manner that can rival the perceived usefulness and ease of use.

Evaluation of telemedicine medical abortion using a no-test protocol in the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region: Evidence from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

To evaluate safety, feasibility, and acceptability of a telemedicine medical abortion service without pre-treatment in-person tests in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. We conducted an open-label, prospective, observational clinical study at five clinics in the three countries. Interested and eligible participants scheduled a telemedicine consultation with a study provider by phone or video. Medical abortion pills could be obtained by mail or courier or picked up at the study clinic or a pharmacy. Study providers contacted participants 1 week after mifepristone ingestion to assess abortion outcomes based on symptoms, and 3 weeks later to review the result of an at-home, high-sensitivity, urine pregnancy test. Participants were referred to in-person visit based on symptoms, urine pregnancy test results, or initiative by the participant. In all, 300 women participated in the study. Almost all participants received medical abortion medications the same day as their first contact with the study clinic, and the majority (n = 297, 99.0%) did not experience any problems receiving them. All except two women (0.67%) followed provider instructions on administration of medications. The majority of participants had a complete abortion without a procedure (Ukraine: n = 115, 95.8%; Uzbekistan: n = 127, 97.7%; Azerbaijan: n = 49, 98.0%), few had in-person visits (Ukraine: n = 30, 25.0%; Uzbekistan: n = 3, 2.3%; Azerbaijan: n = 4, 8.0%), and most were very satisfied or satisfied with the service (Ukraine: n = 116, 96%; Uzbekistan: n = 128, 98%; Azerbaijan: n = 45, 90%). No serious adverse events occurred. Telemedicine medical abortion using the no-test protocol is safe, feasible and acceptable for women in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Reach, Acceptability, and Patient Preferences of a Mobile Health-Based Survey to Assess COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Patients Receiving Dialysis

Rationale & ObjectiveThe majority of patients with kidney failure receiving dialysis own mobile devices, but the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies to conduct surveys in this population is limited. We assessed the reach and acceptability of a short message service (SMS) text message-based survey that assessed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients receiving dialysis. Study DesignCross-sectional SMS-based survey in January 2021. Setting& Participants: Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or home hemodialysis in a non-profit dialysis organization in New York City. Outcomes1) Reach of the SMS survey, 2) Acceptability using the 4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), and 3) Patient preferences for modes of survey administration. Analytical ApproachWe used Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable logistic regression to assess sociodemographic and clinical predictors of SMS survey response. Qualitative methods were used to analyze open-ended responses capturing patient preferences. ResultsAmong 1008 patients, 310 responded to the SMS survey (response rate 31%). In multivariable adjusted analyses, participants who were age 80 and above (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 – 0.96) were less likely to respond to the SMS survey compared with those aged 18 to 44. Non-Hispanic Black (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39 – 0.86), Hispanic (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.19 – 0.51), and Asian or Pacific Islander (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28 – 0.74) individuals were less likely to respond compared with non-Hispanic White participants. Participants residing in census tracts with higher Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), indicating greater neighborhood-level social vulnerability, were less likely to respond to the SMS survey (5th vs. 1st quintile aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37 – 0.99). Over 80% of a sample of survey respondents and non-respondents completely agreed or agreed with the Acceptability of Intervention Measure. Qualitative analysis revealed 4 drivers of patient preferences for survey administration: 1) convenience (subtopics: efficiency, multi-tasking, comfort, synchronicity); 2) privacy; 3) interpersonal interaction; and 4) accessibility (subtopics: vision, language, fatigue). LimitationsGeneralizability, length of survey. ConclusionsAn SMS text message-based survey had moderate reach among patients on dialysis and was highly acceptable, but response rates were lower in older (age ≥ 80), non-White individuals, and those with greater neighborhood-level social vulnerability. Future research should examine barriers and facilitators to mHealth among patients on dialysis to ensure equitable implementation of mHealth-based technologies.

Online Service Acceptance Model of Population and Civil Registration Agency in Indonesia using Technology Acceptance Model

The application of online services at the Population and Civil Registry Service (Disdukcapil) in Indonesia is important in increasing the efficiency and quality of public services. However, the success of reveiving online services is still a major concern for the government and public service managers. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the online service acceptance model at Disdukcapil in Indonesia using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The data collection method was carried out through a survey of potential users of online services and using Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Model (PLS – SEM) to analyze the data. The results showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitudes towards system, behavioural intention and the actual system usage which are the dimensions of the Technology Acceptance Model have a positive effect on acceptance of online services at Disdukcapil in Indonesia. The findings can be used as a guide for policy makers and public service managers to increase acceptance and adoption of online services in the government sector. In addition, this research is expected to provide a strong foundation in improving and improving public services effectively using technology.

Factors Influencing Perceptions of Trust in Data Infrastructures

Trust is an essential pre-condition for the acceptance of digital infrastructures and services. Transparency has been identified as one mechanism for increasing trustworthiness. Yet, it is difficult to assess to which extent and how exactly different aspects of transparency contribute to trust, or potentially impede it in cases of overwhelming complexity of the information provided. To address these issues, we performed two initial studies to help determining the factors that influence or have impact on trust, focusing on transparency across a range of elements associated with data, data infrastructures and virtual research environments. On one hand, we performed a survey among IT experts in the field of data science focusing on quality aspects in the context of re-using and sharing open source software, assessing issues such as the need for documentation, test cases, and accountability. On the other hand, we complemented this with a set of semi-structured interviews with senior researchers to address specific issues of the degree of transparency achievable with different approaches. They include, for example, the amount of transparency we can achieve with approaches from explainable AI, or the usefulness and limitations of data provenance in determining the suitability of data for reuse and others. Specifically, we consider mechanisms on three levels, i.e. technical, process-oriented as well as social mechanisms. Starting from attributes of trust in the “analogue world”, we aim to understand which of these can be applied in the digital world, how they differ, and what additional mechanisms need to be established, in order to support trust in complex socio-technological processes and their emergent results when the traditional approaches cannot be applied anymore.

Exploring Determinants That Influence the Usage Intention of AI-Based Customer Services in the UAE

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way customers interact with organizations and companies. There is a lack of research into AI-enabled customer experiences. Hence, this study aims to use the relevant literature to propose a conceptual framework for how the integration of AI in customer service can lead to an improved AI-enabled customer experience. Five propositions drawn from the reviewed literature present the main factors needed to ensure end users' acceptance of AI customer service in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Our theoretical model extends the trust-commitment theory and service quality model, and incorporates perceived problem-solving ability, to address these factors and thereby guide the successful implementation of AI based customer service projects. The paper will help in understanding the key issues surrounding AI customer service applications that may support successful operations.

Determinants of Islamic fintech adoption: a systematic literature review

Purpose Sharia-compliant financial technologies (Islamic fintech) are becoming increasingly popular among Muslims and non-Muslims. As the Islamic fintech landscape continues to grow and transform, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence the acceptance or adoption of Islamic fintech services from the past literature. Therefore, this paper aims to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to investigate and compile factors that could influence a user to adopt Islamic fintech. Design/methodology/approach The current study adopted the systematic literature review approach using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses technique to examine research on Islamic fintech adoption. A set of inclusion criteria was applied to filter out irrelevant documents and ensure the selection of only the most relevant ones. The criteria were limited to quantitative journals published in English between 2012 and 2022, as identified in Scopus outlets. Findings Despite the existence of various theoretical frameworks, the technology acceptance model and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 frameworks have gained prominence as the most frequently applied frameworks in examining Islamic fintech adoption. In addition, trust is the most important self-developed construct for the adoption of Islamic Fintech. Research limitations/implications The current study does not segregate the intention, actual usage and retention, as the author is interested in understanding the overall adoption of Islamic fintech services. To obtain more specific analysis results, future research could potentially separate the three types of adoption exposure, i.e., consumer acceptance, intention and retention. Next, future studies can also expand their analysis and gain a better understanding of the research topic by exploring alternative data sources such as Web of Science, ERA or JSTOR. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study makes a significant contribution to the literature by providing the first systematic literature review of factors influencing fintech adoption from an Islamic perspective.

Service design for children and young people with common mental health problems: literature review, service mapping and collective case study.

The mental health of children/young people is a growing concern internationally. Numerous reports and reviews have consistently described United Kingdom children's mental health services as fragmented, variable, inaccessible and lacking an evidence base. Little is known about the effectiveness of, and implementation complexities associated with, service models for children/young people experiencing 'common' mental health problems like anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and self-harm. To develop a model for high-quality service design for children/young people experiencing common mental health problems by identifying available services, barriers and enablers to access, and the effectiveness, cost effectiveness and acceptability of such services. Evidence syntheses with primary research, using a sequential, mixed-methods design. Inter-related scoping and integrative reviews were conducted alongside a map of relevant services across England and Wales, followed by a collective case study of English and Welsh services. Global (systematic reviews); England and Wales (service map; case study). Literature reviews: relevant bibliographic databases and grey literature. Service map: online survey and offline desk research. Case study: 108 participants (41 children/young people, 26 parents, 41 staff) across nine case study sites. A single literature search informed both reviews. The service map was obtained from an online survey and internet searches. Case study sites were sampled from the service map; because of coronavirus disease 2019, case study data were collected remotely. 'Young co-researchers' assisted with case study data collection. The integrative review and case study data were synthesised using the 'weaving' approach of 'integration through narrative'. A service model typology was derived from the scoping review. The integrative review found effectiveness evidence for collaborative care, outreach approaches, brief intervention services and the 'availability, responsiveness and continuity' framework. There was cost-effectiveness evidence only for collaborative care. No service model appeared to be more acceptable than others. The service map identified 154 English and Welsh services. Three themes emerged from the case study data: 'pathways to support'; 'service engagement'; and 'learning and understanding'. The integrative review and case study data were synthesised into a coproduced model of high-quality service provision for children/young people experiencing common mental health problems. Defining 'service model' was a challenge. Some service initiatives were too new to have filtered through into the literature or service map. Coronavirus disease 2019 brought about a surge in remote/digital services which were under-represented in the literature. A dearth of relevant studies meant few cost-effectiveness conclusions could be drawn. There was no strong evidence to suggest any existing service model was better than another. Instead, we developed a coproduced, evidence-based model that incorporates the fundamental components necessary for high-quality children's mental health services and which has utility for policy, practice and research. Future work should focus on: the potential of our model to assist in designing, delivering and auditing children's mental health services; reasons for non-engagement in services; the cost effectiveness of different approaches in children's mental health; the advantages/disadvantages of digital/remote platforms in delivering services; understanding how and what the statutory sector might learn from the non-statutory sector regarding choice, personalisation and flexibility. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018106219. This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 17/09/08) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 12, No. 13. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Crowdsourced Partner Services Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in China.

This study aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a crowdsourced HIV partner services (PS) intervention among men who have sex with men living with HIV (MLWH) in China. A pilot 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted in 3 HIV testing clinics in China. The control arm received conventional HIV PS, whereas the intervention arm received a crowdsourced intervention, including HIV self-testing kits for secondary distribution (HIVST-SD), digital education materials, and assisted PS. The intervention was developed through 2-phase crowdsourcing events including an open call and a Designathon. The primary outcomes were measured by the 3-month follow-up rate (i.e., the proportion of participants who completed the follow-up survey to report HIV PS outcomes 3 months after enrollment) and the frequency of using intervention components (feasibility), index evaluation of intervention components (acceptability), and the proportion of partners getting HIV testing (preliminary effectiveness). The study enrolled 121 newly diagnosed MLWH between July 2021 and May 2022. The 3-month follow-up rates were 93% (75 of 81) and 83% (33 of 40) in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Crowdsourced intervention components demonstrated feasibility, with all indexes using digital educational materials, 23 successfully using HIVST-SD, and 6 employing provider-referral to notify 9 sexual partners. Acceptability was high, with HIVST-SD and digital educational materials rated 4.4 and 4.1 out of 5. The proportion of partners receiving HIV testing was 11% higher in the intervention arm than in the control arm (marginal significance with 95% confidence interval, -2% to 24%; 38% vs. 27%). The crowdsourced HIV PS intervention was acceptable and feasible, suggesting the potential to facilitate partner HIV testing among Chinese MLWH. Further implementation research is recommended to expand HIV PS among key populations in low- and middle-income countries. NCT04971967 (Protocol ID: 19-0496).

FEASIBILITY, ACCEPTABILITY, AND EFFICACY OF A PILOT EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY GROUP SERVICE FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Type 2 diabetes prevalence increases with ageing, affecting over half a million older Australians. Medicare type 2 diabetes group interventions can support older adults’ diabetes management. However, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) delivered service feasibility and acceptability is yet to be assessed. This study aimed to assess feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a Medicare type 2 diabetes group exercise and education intervention for older adults. METHODS This study was a single arm feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy trial of an AEP delivered type 2 diabetes group service for older adults. Participants attended the Diabetes Clinic once per week for 8 weeks, for a group exercise and education session. Attendance, participation, enjoyment, suitability, usefulness, and pre-post clinical health outcomes were assessed. RESULTS The intervention was feasible and acceptable, with 40 participants (71.8±4.5 years old, range 65-81 years, 45% female) attending 87% of sessions, with high treatment compliance within sessions (aerobic training: 86%; resistance training: 86%; education: 87%). Almost all participants (97%) strongly agreed that the program was enjoyable. Significant post intervention improvements (mean difference [95% CI]) were observed for right arm systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-7mmHg [-12, -2], p=0.007), left arm diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (-3mmHg [-5, -0], p=0.021), body weight (-0.7kg [-1.3, -0.0], p=0.039), waist circumference (-1.3cm [-2.2, -0.4], p=0.006), 6-minute walk test (22.8m, [9.1. 36.5], p=0.002), 5 times sit to stand (-0.8sec [-1.2, -0.5], p<0.001), short physical performance battery ordinal scale (0.3 [0.1, 0.5], p=0.009), and whole-body muscle strength (32.2kg [22.3, 42.1], p<0.001). CONCLUSION Older adults attended and enjoyed the AEP led Diabetes Clinic program, while also improving fitness and cardiometabolic health outcomes. Ways to enhance referrals and engage older adults in the programs warrant further investigation. The potential for additional sessions to achieve greater physical activity engagement and diabetes self-management should be further investigated.

가정폭력 피해 이주여성 지원 제도 및 서비스에 대한 고찰: 문제점과 개선 방안을 중심으로

While public awareness on domestic violence has increased over the past few decades in Korea, little is known about domestic violence issues pertaining to immigrant women. This study is an attempt to provide an overview of domestic violence issues, legal and policy structures, and current social service system in place for battered immigrant women in Korea. The findings show that various sound legal and policy framework has been established over the past years, resulting in provisions added to the existing laws on domestic violence, policies developed specifying support for battered immigrant women and implementation of social service agencies to assist and protect the battered immigrant women and their families. Using the AAAQ framework by UN, we examined the current service delivery system. The result shows that service availability, accessibility, and acceptability are found to be quite compromised by gaps between the policy and practice. A large number of service providers are located in metropolitan areas, reducing the accessibility of battered women in other regions. A limited budget is also a barrier to provide comprehensive services to all in need. Lastly, a lack of translator and interpreter services limits accessibility and acceptability as both the service providers and the victims are unable to communicate with language barriers. Based on the findings, we suggested implications for policy and practice.

Promoting Comprehensive Health Services: Harnessing the Synergy of Traditional and Modern Healing Approaches

Promoting comprehensive health services entails leveraging the synergy between traditional and modern healing approaches. This article utilizes a qualitative literature review method to explore the integration of traditional and modern healing methods in the delivery of healthcare services. By examining a wide array of scholarly articles, books, and research papers, this study elucidates the potential benefits and challenges associated with combining traditional and modern approaches to health and wellness. The analysis reveals that incorporating traditional healing practices alongside modern medical interventions can lead to more holistic and culturally sensitive healthcare delivery. Traditional healing methods, rooted in indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions, often provide unique perspectives on health and healing that complement conventional medical treatments. Additionally, traditional healers often serve as trusted community members who play a vital role in promoting health-seeking behaviors and addressing psychosocial needs. Furthermore, synergies between traditional and modern healing approaches can enhance access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities where cultural beliefs may influence health-seeking behaviors. By acknowledging and integrating traditional healing practices into mainstream healthcare systems, healthcare providers can foster greater trust and collaboration with local communities, ultimately improving health outcomes. However, challenges such as differing belief systems, lack of standardization, and limited research on the efficacy of traditional healing practices pose barriers to effective integration. Overcoming these challenges requires collaborative efforts between traditional healers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers to develop culturally competent and evidence-based healthcare interventions. In conclusion, this article underscores the importance of harnessing the synergy between traditional and modern healing approaches to promote comprehensive health services. By embracing diversity and inclusivity in healthcare delivery, stakeholders can enhance the accessibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of healthcare services for all individuals and communities. Further research is needed to explore best practices for integrating traditional healing into mainstream healthcare systems and to evaluate the impact on health outcomes.

Unravelling the Nexus Between Antecedents of Customer Satisfaction and Innovative Service Acceptance in Restaurants

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of ambient conditions, food hygiene, standardization, and customer satisfaction on customer innovative service acceptance. The quantitative study draws upon data from 750 valid questionnaires completed by restaurant customers. The researchers applied partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 4 to analyze the research model. A two-step method was followed to assess measurements and structural models. The salient PLS-SEM findings showed that ambient conditions, standardization, and food hygiene significantly affect customer satisfaction. Besides, the findings also acknowledged that customer satisfaction was mediating and significantly affected innovative service acceptance. This study has made a significant theoretical contribution to the innovative service literature by examining its antecedents in a single model and exploring the mediating role of customer satisfaction. The study’s findings indicate that restaurant managers should be concerned with innovative service and customer acceptance. The possession of innovative service expertise enables restaurants to offer distinctive and unforgettable experiences to their customers.

The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and the acceptance of cosmetic surgery in a nonclinical sample of Hungarian adults

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common, often undiagnosed, serious condition. The relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery is rather complex, as many patients with body dysmorphic disorder search for cosmetic solutions for the imagined defect in appearance. Aims: To assess the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and its relationship to the acceptance and use of cosmetic services and body-related variables among Hungarian adults. Methods: Body weight and height, body satisfaction, health state, aesthetic intervention-related experiences, and plans were assessed by a self-report online questionnaire that included the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire and the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. Six hundred three subjects (94% women, n = 567, 6% men, n = 36, age M = 40.16 years, SD = 13.32 years) joined the research on a social media platform. Results: The prevalence of BDD is 8.1% (n = 49), 8.1% (n = 46) in women, and 8.3% (n = 3) in men. The BDD-positive group had higher BMI (U = 9641.5, p = 0.028), more plastic surgeries (χ2(1) = 19.682 , p = 0.012), and more acceptance of cosmetic surgery (U = 6664, p < 0.001). The risk of BDD is significantly higher in those who have a lower education (OR = 0.424, p = 0.031), accept cosmetic surgery (OR = 1.031, p = 0.025), plan plastic surgery (OR = 0.351, p = 0.027) and are more dissatisfied with their body (OR = 0.397, p < 0.001). Consideration of cosmetic surgery (U = 7433, p = 0.006) and planning for future plastic surgeries χ2(1) = 7.943, p = 0.019) are more frequent in females. Sixty-six women (11.6%) have already had some intervention, 26.4% plan, and 10.4% probably plan cosmetic surgery, while these data are 11.1%, 8.3% and 5.6% in males. These symptoms occur more frequently among women according to Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire: avoidance behavior (33.9% vs. 16.7%, χ2(1) = 4.539, p = 0.033), significant mental suffering caused by the perceived flaw(s) (29.8% vs. 13.9%, χ2(1) = 4.178, p = 0.041). The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale total score has a significant positive relationship with BDD caseness (β = 0.100, p = 0.011) and the number of blepharoplasties (β = 0.111, p = 0.005) and significant negative relationship with the planning of cosmetic surgery (β = –0.491, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder is high in this non-clinical, unselected Hungarian sample. The risk for body dysmorphic disorder is higher in those interested in cosmetic services; screening for this body image disorder is necessary.

Barriers to Older Adults Adapting Smart Homes: Perceived Risk Scale Development

The 21st century has marked the dawn of an aging population. China’s aging process ranks first worldwide. The country has recognized the gravity of this demographic shift and implemented strategies to address it at the national level. A vast majority of elderly Chinese individuals (approximately 90%) aspire to age in their own homes. Smart homes, endowed with cutting-edge digital technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things, and big data, hold vast potential for enabling this vision. However, acceptance of smart home products and services among elderly individuals in China remains low. The main reason is that the related products and services fail to effectively alleviate the perceived risk of this population in the R&D process of related products and services, and there is a lack of effective measurement methods. To holistically assess the potential obstacles faced by elderly individuals using smart home products and services, this study targeted individuals aged 45–60 years in China. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive perceived risk scale specific to smart homes for this demographic. Initially, this study identified key risk dimensions and corresponding measurement items through a rigorous literature review, user interviews, and expert consultations. Subsequently, it ensured the reliability and validity of each dimension and its corresponding observation variables through preliminary research, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. This approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by future elderly individuals when utilizing smart home products and services, thus enabling the development of more effective solutions. The scale encompassed ten factors and seventy measurement items, including Privacy and Security Risk (seven items), Physical Risk (seven items), Technological Risk (nine items), Performance Risk (seven items), Service Risk (nine items), Financial Risk (five items), Psychological Risk (seven items), Industry and Market Risk (six items), Social Support Risk (six items), and Policy and Legal risk (seven items). The measurement scale developed in this study represents a groundbreaking first attempt to create a systematic scale for assessing the perceived risks associated with smart homes for the elderly in China. It not only enables professionals, businesses, and manufacturers to avoid or reduce barriers in the R&D process of related products and services, facilitating smart home industry growth and enhancing user adoption, but also serves as a universal reference for the potential obstacles that digital technology may encounter in addressing aging-related issues, which has significant theoretical value and practical importance.

Dynamic Node Selection Approach for 6G Heterogeneous Cellular Networks (HCN) to Enhance QoS and Low Latency

A wireless multi-hop network is a group of nodes that can interact directly with one another or across longer distances by using other nodes as relay points and routers. 6G heterogeneous cellular network support several transmission modalities, such as single hop, multi-hop transmission and device-to-any device transmission. These transmission services can greatly increase 6G cellular network capacity, spectral efficiency, power efficiency, Quality of Service (QoS) and Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC). According to current research, Heterogeneous Cellular Networks (HCN) can benefit even more from the integration of demand-driven opportunistic networking into HCN. Devices can search look for the connections between nodes that are most efficient. in Proactive HCN connections by taking advantage of the URLLC acceptability of many mobile data services. Multiple Transmission modes necessitate node selection schemes that can determine the best node for each transmission. Previous proposals for node selection schemes have taken into account the introduction of D2X and HCN. Proactive HCN connections, however, cannot be incorporated into the selection process by current node selection schemes. By implementing outward the first node selection scheme that can incorporate Proactive HCN sharing information within 6G and beyond networks, this research work enhances the existing work. The analysis that was carried out shows the potential for Proactive HCN communications as well as the ability of the suggested node selection scheme to choose the best communication node to enhance QoS and Low Latency.

Research and Innovation of a Community Intelligent Pension Service System: Taking Longhua District, Shenzhen, China, as an Example

With the aging of China's population, as a new model combining information technology and high-quality elderly care services, the topic of smart elderly care continues to warm up and has immediately attracted widespread attention. With the innovation of Internet technology, elderly people and families are in demand of the smart pension industry, and national policies have issued a series of policies and plans to encourage the development of smart pensions, allowing the innovation and design of China's smart elderly service system to fully expand. However, the research shows that from the perspective of the macro development of China's smart pension industry, the overall operation system is not mature, the talent gap is more accurate, there are fewer services, and it is still in the market development stage. This paper focuses on the Shenzhen Longhua District, which is a local part of the community wisdom endowment service industry chain investigation. The analysis of the current pension service system development is not mature enough, and it does not completely combine Internet technology and wisdom endowment. Additionally, because the economic strength and cultural level limit of wisdom endowment service acceptance are not high, the policy support for community wisdom endowment is not large enough. On this basis, this paper draws on the excellent successful experience at home and abroad. From the perspective of three aspects and put forward opinions for innovation, first, the innovation of community smart elderly care service technology, which combines Internet information technology and elderly care services organically, improves the quality of life and the happiness index of elderly people. Second, the innovation of community smart elderly care services, including the full use of medical institutions to provide 24-hour rehabilitation monitoring, remote monitoring services, and personalized and differentiated services, are tailored for elderly people. Third, the national policy innovation of community elderly care services, through policy guidance and support, promotes the healthy development of community elderly care services to provide better quality and convenient pension services for elderly people. The author believes that in the future, community elderly care services will be more professional and standardized, and a set of digital systems and service standards with scientific standards and rules will be established to ensure the quality of service and personalized demand.

Acceptability of Tele-mental Health Services Among Users: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundMental disorders are currently a global public health concern, particularly after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mental health services gradually transitioned to teleservices, employing various methods like texting and videoconferencing. This meta-analysis aimed mainly to quantify the acceptability of tele-mental health services among both beneficiaries and providers. Secondary objectives included quantifying the usability of and satisfaction with these services.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of the following databases PubMed Central, SAGE, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed Medline, and EBSCO according to Preferred Reporting Items of the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines until December 2022.ResultsOut of 3366 search results, 39 studies fully met the inclusion criteria. The pooled acceptability of tele-mental health services among beneficiaries was [71.0% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 63.0 − 78.5%, I2 = 98%]. Using meta-regression, four key factors contributed to this heterogeneity (R2 = 99.75%), namely, year of publication, type of mental disorder, participant category, and the quality of included studies. While acceptability among providers was [66.0% (95%CI, 52.0 − 78.0%), I2 = 95%]. The pooled usability of tele-mental health services among participants was [66.0% (95%CI, 50.0 − 80.0%), I2 = 83%]. Subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant results (p = 0.003), indicating that usability was higher among beneficiaries compared to providers.ConclusionsThe study highlighted a high acceptability of tele-mental health services. These findings suggest a promising outlook for the integration and adoption of tele-mental health services and emphasize the importance of considering user perspectives and addressing provider-specific challenges to enhance overall service delivery and effectiveness.

Assessment of barriers to cancer screening and interventions implemented to overcome these barriers in 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

There is a gap in the understanding of the barriers to cancer screening participation and complying with downstream management in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (CELAC). Our study aimed to assess barriers across the cancer screening pathway from the health system perspective, and interventions in place to improve screening in CELAC. A standardized tool was used to collect information on the barriers across the screening pathway through engagement with the health authorities of 27 member states of CELAC. Barriers were organized in a framework adapted from the Tanahashi conceptual model and consisted of the following dimensions: availability of services, access (covering accessibility and affordability), acceptability, user-provider interaction, and effectiveness of services (which includes governance, protocols and guidelines, information system, and quality assurance). The tool also collected information of interventions in place, categorized in user-directed interventions to increase demand, user-directed interventions to increase access, provider-directed interventions, and policy and system-level interventions. All countries prioritized barriers related to the information systems, such as the population register not being accurate or complete (N = 19; 70.4%). All countries implemented some kind of intervention to improve cancer screening, group education being the most reported (N = 23; 85.2%). Training on screening delivery was the most referred provider-directed intervention (N = 19; 70.4%). The study has identified several barriers to the implementation of cancer screening in the region and interventions in place to overcome some of the barriers. Further analysis is required to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving their objectives.

Digital Transformation in Omani Higher Education: Assessing Student Adoption of Video Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many fields, such as communication, commerce, and education, and pushed business entities to adopt innovative technologies to continue their business operations. Students need to do the same, so it is essential to understand their acceptance of these technologies to make them more usable for students. This paper employs the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) to identify the factors that influenced students’ acceptance and use of different online communication services as the primary tool for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six factors of UTAUT2 were used to measure the acceptance and use of video communication services at the Business College of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. Two hundred students completed our online survey. The results demonstrated that social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and habit affect behavioral intention positively, while performance expectancy and effort expectancy have no effect on behavioral intention.