Background: National implementation of electronic personal health record (ePHR) systems is of vital importance to governments worldwide because this type of technology promises to promote and enhance healthcare. Although there is widespread agreement as to the advantages of ePHRs, the level of awareness and acceptance of this technology among healthcare consumers has been low. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the factors that can influence the acceptance and use of an integrated ePHR system in Saudi Arabia. Method: The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was extended in this study to include e-health literacy (e-HL) and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey, resulting in 794 valid responses. Results: The proposed model explained 56% of the variance in behavioural intention (BI) to use the integrated ePHR system. Findings also highlighted the significance of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence (SI) and e-HL as determinants of Saudi healthcare consumers’ intentions to accept and use the integrated ePHR system. Additionally, assessment of the research model moderators revealed that only gender had a moderating influence on the relationship between SI and BI. Finally, findings showed a low level of awareness among Saudi citizens about the national implementation of an integrated ePHR system, suggesting the need to promote a greater and more widespread awareness of the system and to demonstrate its usefulness. Conclusion: Findings from this study can assist governments, policymakers and developers of health information technologies and systems by identifying important factors that may influence the diffusion and use of integrated ePHRs.

Electronic Personal Health Record systems are providing health consumers with greater access and control to their health records by shifting these records from being a health provider-centred Electronic Health Record, to a patient-centred, Electronic Personal Health Record (ePHR). Based on the delivery system, ePHR systems are classified into standalone, tethered, and integrated or unified ePHRs. While national approaches of implementing integrated ePHR vary, the middle out method has been recognised as the ideal approach. It is worth considering the adoption of ePHRs has been slow due to several factors, including technical, individual, environmental, social, and legal factors. This paper provides a representative overview of an ePHR system, outlining its definition, types, architectures, and nationwide approaches of its implementation. Additionally, the drivers and hindrances to health consumer adoption are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract