Modelling user acceptance of wireless medical technologies

Abstract

Wireless medical technologies (WMT) offer an enormous potential to improve healthcare, e.g. by a continuous monitoring of patients' vital health parameters. As user acceptance is a key factor for WMT success, a model of acceptance for WMT-users and non-users was developed and empirically tested by applying structural equation modelling techniques (PLS). Based on a sample of N=305 participants the impact of different system architecture elements (device vs. wireless infrastructure) as well as user factors (knowledge, risk perception, and perceived control) on WMT acceptance was analysed. Perceived benefits and barriers as determining elements of WMT acceptance were quantified and guidelines for WMT system development, training and marketing were derived. © Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2013.