Older people's intention to use medical apps during the Covid-19 pandemic in China

An application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM)

Dados Bibliográficos

ID11201644
AutoresYin Ma (0000-0001-9064-9361, Lanzhou University), Muyuan Luo (0000-0003-3229-1140, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume44
Fascículo7
Páginas1515-1532
Data de publicação2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x22000423
OpenAlexW4306404617
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas57

Previous studies on older adults' intention to adopt medical apps during irregular circumstances like the COVID-19 outbreak are still in its infancy. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we developed a theoretical framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain Chinese older people's willingness to use medical apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected 1,318 online questionnaires during the first wave of the pandemic in China in early 2020. We employed structural equation modelling to analyse the data, and the results show that (a) attitudes towards using apps influence older people's intention to use apps significantly; (b) only two factors, perceived usefulness and facilitating conditions , which were proposed in the UTAUT model, significantly predicted the older adults' intention to use apps, but not others; and (c) perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and facilitating conditions all significantly impact attitudes towards using apps. Further mediation analysis found that attitudes towards using apps significantly mediated the paths suggested in the original UTAUT model. Due to the online survey method we used, older people who do not use the internet were excluded from our sampling process. However, our timely research contributes to the existing literature by showcasing older people's usage of eHealth technology in public health emergencies. It also builds on the broader discussions on technology use by combining the TAM and the UTAUT model, highlighting the vital role of people's attitude towards using technology in shaping their intention to use it

China · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Internet privacy · Mediation · Pandemic · Political science · Social influence · Sociology · Structural equation modeling · Technology Acceptance Model · Theory of planned behavior · Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology · Usability · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Technology Use by Older Adults