Intent to use a healthcare related Internet of Things Service (IoTs) in South Africa

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify individual’s (both healthcare practitioner and public) intention to adopt healthcare related IoT services (HR-IoTS). Materials and methodology – The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to assist in predicting intention to use. An e-survey was distributed via email to all participants living the Gauteng area. Four constructs (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attributes and user satisfaction) formed part of the e-survey. Chi squared testing was used to descriptive data for both groups (i.e. healthcare practitioners and general public). Thereafter, a structural equation model (SEM) was used to predict intention to use. Two structural equations were built for each group. Results – A total of (N = 208) respondents were gained and separated into a group of general public (N = 140) and healthcare practitioners (N = 64). The SEM for the general public was tested and it was found to have convergent validity, discriminant validity and reliability. The results within the general public and healthcare practitioners indicate no statistically significant difference between gender and intention to use HR-IoTS. In the general public, there was a statistically significant difference between various age groups; however, the older age groups were not well represented. In the healthcare group, no statistically significant difference was identified in the various age groups compared to their intention to use and confidence in recommending HR-IoTS. The structural equation developed for the general public indicated that the there was a significant positive association between the intention to use HR-IoTS and perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. There was significant negative association between intention to use a HR-IoTS and the attributes of an IoT device and this result was also statistically significant. Within the healthcare group, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between prior knowledge of IoT services and confidence in recommending HR-IoTS. There was a statistically significant difference in perceived ease of use in the healthcare practitioners group, however, the model developed was not robust. 2 Conclusion – Among members of the general public it was clear that there was a positive association between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of a HR-IoTS and the intention to use such a service but this was not the case for attributes of usability. It can thus be concluded that the attributes of a HR-IoTS may preclude members of the public from using it. Whilst there was a significant positive association between perceived ease of use and HR-IOTs among healthcare practitioners, the structural equation did not pass the goodness of fit test. Keywords: Heatlhcare related IoT Services, IoT, Technology Adoption Model, TAM, Intention to use.