Intentions of hospital pharmacists to use digital technology in their daily practice: a cross-sectional survey using the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Abstract

Background: Digital technology has been widely integrated into healthcare. This encompasses knowledge, skills, and practices related to the development and use of health technologies. The behavior of health professionals is critical to the adoption of these technologies.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with hospital pharmacists' intention to use digital technology in their daily practice using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).

Method: In this cross-sectional study, a paper-based survey was conducted among hospital pharmacists who attended the National Hospital Pharmacy Congress in Türkiye in March 2022. A valid and reliable Turkish scale based on the TBP was used to identify factors associated with the intention score by a multiple linear regression model.

Results: One hundred ten participants completed the survey (response rate: 44.0%). Seventy percent of pharmacists reported that they had not received prior training in digital technologies. More than eighty percent of the participants said they intend to use digital technology in daily practice. The higher scores of attitudes (p = 0.005), self-efficacy (p < 0.001), and working place (p = 0.017) were associated with increased intention scores.

Conclusion: Positive attitudes, higher self-efficacy, and working in tertiary hospitals were associated with hospital pharmacists' intentions to use digital technology in daily practice. These factors should be considered in developing interventions to promote digital technology use of hospital pharmacists.