Social Representations of Digital Health Technology in different contexts: Why People Keep or Quit Using It?

Abstract

Objectives: The use of digital health technologies (DHT) is increasingly ubiquitous in intervention studies aimed at reducing health risks or improving the management of chronic diseases such as cancer. However, although DHT clearly show promises for a variety of applications, one third of users quit using DHT less than six months after the purchase, which may limit their effectiveness. This study aims to identify social representations (SR) of DHT, and to highlight why individuals adopt or are reluctant to adopt DHT, as well as the reasons for their drop-out.Methods: Five focus groups were lead with 18 participants (Mage = 43.72 years, Women = 13) whose personal uses of DHT were heterogeneous and controlled. They completed three tasks designed to elicit a wide range of SR of DHT.Results: Results showed that individuals’ concerns about DHT were focused on four themes: 1) health versus well-being purposes, 2) price, 3) data protection and, 4) difficulties for the elderly. The main reason for adopting DHT was that their use met a need, an interest. Most participants made a fairly strong distinction between the DHT which promote health and those promoting wellbeing. Reasons for reluctance and drop-out were related to a lack of knowledge, information, transparency and mastery.Conclusions: These findings may help DHT designers to understand what kind of information are needed and relevant to users. This study also highlights users’ SR of DHT, as well as their expectations and fears which should be taken into account when implementing interventions.