Security behaviors of healthcare providers using HIT outside of work: A technology threat avoidance perspective

Abstract

This study empirically tests the model of the Technology Threats Avoidance Theory (TTAT) in a healthcare context to investigate health information technology (HIT) avoidance behaviors when used in unsecure environment. Testing the model in this new context explained avoidance behaviors towards HIT in a holistic way. It is found that the HIT avoidance is predicted by levels of perceived threat, avoidance motivation, perceived effectiveness of the safeguarding measure, perceived cost of the safeguarding measure, and the self-efficacy of using this safeguarding measure. The study also controlled for a number of variables and found that levels of education and age have significant influence on avoidance behavior towards the HIT.