What drives patients’ acceptance of Digital Therapeutics? Establishing a new framework to measure the interplay between rational and institutional factors

Abstract

Background The rising incidence of chronic diseases among the population, further exacerbated by the phenomenon of aging, is a primary concern and a serious challenge for the healthcare systems worldwide. Among the wide realm of health digital technologies, the rise of Digital Therapeutics (DTx), which are medical devices able to deliver evidence-based treatments to manage and treat diseases, opens new opportunities. However, their diffusion and usage are still fragmented among countries. As the diffusion results from the adoption of technology from a social system and individual acceptance, this study aims to design and test a theoretical model that investigates the intention to use DTx, with a particular focus on the treatment of obesity, as a widespread and burdensome chronic condition. Methods This research is built on 336 answers coming from a survey to test the proposed model, which consists of a combination of organizational mechanisms, derived from Institutional Theory, and rational factors, derived from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The survey has been delivered to patients and former patients of Istituto Auxologico Italiano, a hospital with several locations in northern Italy, recognized as a center of excellence for the treatment of obesity. Results The analyses of the answers, performed through the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique, confirmed the influence of the Perceived Usefulness on Intention To Use, and of the Perceived Ease Of Use on the Perceived Usefulness, confirming the validity of the assumptions derived from the TAM. On the other hand, institutional factors were introduced as antecedents of the Perceived Usefulness, and the Perceived Ease Of Use. Results show that the Regulative Pillar influences both the TAM constructs, the Normative Pillar (peer influence) has a positive effect only on the Perceived Usefulness, and finally, the Cultural Pillar impacts the Perceived Ease Of Use. Conclusion This study allows filling the knowledge gap regarding the usage of the Institutional as a means to predict individuals’ intentions. Moreover, managerial contributions are available as the results have been operationalized into practical advice to managers and healthcare professionals to foster the adoption, and thus the diffusion, of Digital Therapeutics.

Unveiling the interplay between rational, psychological and functional factors in continuous glucose monitoring early adoption: Novel evidence from the Dexcom ONE case in Italy

“…The initial step involved a descriptive examination of personal, demographic, and health-related questions. Subsequently, data analysis was conducted using the partial least squares (PLS) method, a structural equation modeling technique, via the software STATA 17, consistent with previous research [28,29]. First of all, a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test was employed to determine the suitability of the sample for factor analysis [54].…”

“…Information technology adoption and use have been extensively investigated in extant literature, and significant theoretical and empirical evidence has built a strong case for the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) [25,26], also in the specific case of the healthcare field [27][28][29][30][31].…”

Therapies go digital. What drives physicians’ acceptance?

“…The research model includes the fundamental hypotheses (H) of the TAM [29,37] and six additional assumptions for each institution considered [36,38]. PU is forecasted to positively impact ITU (H1) 24,32,34 , together with PEU (H2) [28,37,39,40], and PEU is expected to affect PU (H3) positively [37,41].…”

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“…In addition to forming a TA, long-term regular use of DTx requires user satisfaction [48]. For this sustainability, the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitude are suggested in the existing technology acceptance model (TAM) [49]. The TAM model states that in the acceptance of new technologies, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence the attitudes in a positive or negative direction toward the service.…”