The adoption of mobile health applications by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries: The case of Saudi Arabia

The rapid evolution of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) has become increasingly important in enhancing healthcare delivery, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the critical role of such technologies, however, acceptance and adoption rates among physicians in developing countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have been relatively low. This highlights the need to explore the determinants of acceptance. In response to this call, this study aimed to identify the factors that influence Saudi physicians’ acceptance and adoption of mHealth apps during the COVID-19 pandemic using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Data were collected using an online survey, after which the responses were analyzed via structural equation modeling. The analysis assessed the influence of four primary constructs, namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, on the physicians’ behavioral intention to adopt these technologies. The results indicated that while all factors significantly affected the intention to adopt the apps, facilitating conditions were the most influential. These findings punctuate the necessity of investing in infrastructure and implementing training programs focused on integrating mHealth technology into medical practice. By drawing attention to influencing factors, this research provides critical insights for policymakers and healthcare managers to enhance the adoption of mHealth apps. This enhancement, in turn, can help improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes during and beyond health crises. Finally, this study not only sheds light on the adoption dynamics prevalent in a developing context but also serves as a valuable guide for implementing similar technologies in other global regions.