Conceptualizing Patient as an Organization With the Adoption of Digital Health.

Abstract

The concept of viewing a patient as an organization within the context of digital healthcare is an innovative and evolving concept. Traditionally, the patient-doctor relationship has been centered around the individual patient and their interactions with healthcare providers. However, with the advent of technology and digital healthcare solutions, the dynamics of this relationship are changing. Digital healthcare platforms and technologies enable patients to have more control and active participation in managing their health and healthcare processes. This shift empowers patients to take on a more proactive role, similar to how an organization functions with various stakeholders, goals, and strategies. The prevalence of mobile phones and wearables is regarded as an important factor in the acceptance of digital health.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting adoption intention using the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model), HB (Health Belief model), and the UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology). The argument is made that the adoption of the technology enables patients to create resources (ie, data), transforming patients from mere consumers to producers as well.

Results: PLS analysis showed that health beliefs and perceived ease of use had positive effects on the perceived usefulness of digital healthcare, and system capabilities positively impacted perceived ease of use. Furthermore, perceived service, the customer's willingness to change and reference group influence significantly impacted adoption intention (b > 0.1, t > 1.96, P < .05). However, privacy protection and data security, online healthcare resources, and user guidance were not positively associated with perceived usefulness.

Conclusions: Perceived usefulness, the customer's willingness to change, and the influence of the reference group are decisive variables affecting adoption intention among the general population, whereas privacy protection and data security are indecisive variables. Online resources and user guides do not support adoption intentions.