A Structural Equation Modelling of Governing Factors Influencing Patient Acceptance of Mobile Health in Saudi Arabia: A Modified UTAUT Model

Abstract

There are obstacles that are delaying the implementation of mobile health (mHealth) in Saudi Arabia. For instance, mobile health cannot be effectively implemented if patients’ behavioural intentions are not taken into account, as patients’ attitudes and persistence are important for the successful introduction of any IT application. Indeed, the topic of mobile health acceptance, in the particular case of Saudi Arabia, has not been adequately investigated, despite the availability of some general research on the acceptance of technology. Therefore, the present study adopted the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model with the aim of identifying the determinants of mobile health application acceptance. The UTAUT model identified a selection of factors that influenced the uptake of mobile health services. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, system quality and trust in the ICT system were all positively influential. However, social factors did not appear to affect the behavioural intention to use mobile health.