Factors Determining E-Health Readiness by Higher Education Institution Students in an Emerging Country

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are important for improving healthcare services worldwide. Using tools related to ICTs such as smartphones (cell phones), video conferencing, computers enhances the delivery of health services as well as electronic health (e-health). Therefore, this study's main objective is to investigate the e-health readiness for higher education institution students in an emerging country (Botswana). The study achieved this by identifying the readiness factors that affect the adoption of e-health using the conceptual framework (technology readiness and acceptance model for e-health). The study established that students' optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, and insecurity influence e-health perceived ease of use. However, only optimism and discomfort influence e-health perceived usefulness whereas innovativeness and insecurity did not influence e-health perceived usefulness. Additionally, the study found out that e-health perceived usefulness and e-health perceived ease of use have an influence on e-health adoption.

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“…TPB has been used in a variety of contexts and has shown to be useful in figuring out people's intents to utilise and accept technology, among other things. c. Technology readiness index (TRI 2.0): This is an offshoot of the technology readiness index (TRI 1.0) with a focus on providing enabling factors that position an individual's mindset in acceptance of new technology to achieve the personal or organizational task (Ntseme, 2019;Parasuraman, 2000). On TRI 2.0, optimism and innovativeness are technology readiness contributors/enablers while discomfort and insecurity are the technology readiness inhibitors (Ntseme, 2019;Parasuraman, 2000).…”

“…c. Technology readiness index (TRI 2.0): This is an offshoot of the technology readiness index (TRI 1.0) with a focus on providing enabling factors that position an individual's mindset in acceptance of new technology to achieve the personal or organizational task (Ntseme, 2019;Parasuraman, 2000). On TRI 2.0, optimism and innovativeness are technology readiness contributors/enablers while discomfort and insecurity are the technology readiness inhibitors (Ntseme, 2019;Parasuraman, 2000). For example, individuals with high technology readiness index regard the benefits of technology which define their behaviour towards it.…”

“…Numerous scholars have applied and expanded the TAM model, which is a dependable, strong, and well-established theory (Alkhwaldi & Kamala, 2017). It provides the basis to determine if information systems artifacts will be accepted and used by individuals voluntarily (Ntseme, 2019). The framework uses "perceived usefulness (PU)", "perceived ease of use (PEU)", "attitude towards using (ATU)", and behavioural intention as factors to determine individual or organizational adoption of information systems in practice.…”

“…Discomfort: This means individuals believe that they have no control over new technology (Ntseme, 2019;Parasuraman, 2000). They believe that new technology is overwhelming, and distrusting.…”

“…Additionally, Tsikriktsis (2004) emphasizes that insecurity is linked to discomfort but focuses specifically on doubts about the functionality and reliability of technology. Addressing these insecurities is crucial for fostering trust and confidence in the adoption of new technologies, ensuring that individuals feel secure in their interactions with technology and are willing to embrace its potential benefits (Ntseme, 2019).…”