Investigation of physicians' awareness and use of mHealth apps: A mixed method study

• Published in: Health policy and technology Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 251 - 267
• Main Authors: Sezgin, Emre, Özkan-Yildirim, Sevgi, Yildirim, Soner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Application use; Healthcare; Information technology; Mobile health; Physicians; Technology acceptance; Healthcare; Technology acceptance; Application use; Physicians; Information technology; Mobile health
• ISSN: 2211-8837; 2211-8845
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2017.07.007

The study aims to understand physicians’ awareness of mobile health (mHealth) apps and their intentions to use these apps in medical practice. Mobile Health Technology Acceptance Model (M-TAM) was tested employing the sequential explanatory mixed method. An online survey and focus group interviews were conducted for data collection. Physicians were invited to participate in the survey. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used in quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using coding, memo, and contextual analyses. 151 physicians participated in the survey, representing a 15% response rate. The model was able to explain physicians’ intention to use mHealth apps by explaining 59% of the total variance. Performance Expectancy, Mobile Anxiety, Perceived Service Availability and Personal Innovativeness were major influencing factors of Behavioral Intention. Qualitative codes outlined that information gathering and communication purposes were the major enablers in mHealth app usage. In that regard, Communication and Consulting, Clinical Decision Making, Reference and Information Gathering, and Information Management are the most popular app categories. On the other hand, lack of knowledge and lack of investment were seen as the major barriers to mHealth app usage. User perception and intentions are important factors in technology use. Thus, the preferences, expectations, and characteristics of physicians which were outlined in this research could be significant inputs for researchers, app developers, managers and policymakers. •Physicians’ awareness and intentions towards using mobile health applications were investigated.•A mixed method investigation was conducted with physicians.•The factors explained 59% of total variance in physicians’ intention to use.•Codes outlined that information gathering and communication were the major enablers in app use•The study is one of the first studies investigating mHealth application use of physicians in Turkey.