Healthcare professionals’ initial attitudes towards 3D printing and effects of a short educational briefing: A pre-post pilot study utilising the technology acceptance model

Abstract

Purpose

Adopting 3D printing technology in healthcare is variable across clinical settings and has considerable geographical differences. To advance the application of 3D printing in healthcare it is necessary to research factors inhibiting its adoption, notably in areas of low uptake. The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes toward 3D printing in Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) with low experience of the technology and to assess the effectiveness of a Short Educational Video (SEV) on these perceptions in the context of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

Design/Methodology/Approach

This was a pre-post intervention study in a convenience sample of HCPs. A 5-minute video was developed to introduce and inform HCPs regarding 3D printing in healthcare. Participants (n = 52) completed an online survey grounded on the TAM before and after watching the video. Wilcoxon signed rank t-tests were used to analyse pre- and post-video scores. Perceptions post-intervention increased significantly for the TAM dimensions perceived usefulness (p < 0.05), perceived ease of use (p < 0.001), attitude toward use (p < 0.001) and behavioural intention to use (p < 0.001).

Findings

This study demonstrated that a brief introduction to the technology increased perceptual factors which may be related to the initial phase of adoption of such technology. An inference from the findings is that for HCPs with low previous experience of 3D printing, this may be a suitable model to provide education on the technology and potentially increase the adoption of 3D printing in the clinical setting. Increased perception is expected to contribute to increased likelihood of eventual adoption in healthcare.

Originality/value

This study addresses a literature gap in adopting 3D printing within healthcare. The study demonstrated that even brief educational interventions can substantially shift perceptions among HCPs. This suggests that the SEV is a scalable and cost-effective strategy to initially promote the adoption of 3D printing within healthcare.