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Acceptance of Online Medical Websites: An Empirical Study in China

Author

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  • Yuan Tang

    (The School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
    School of Management, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Yu-Tao Yang

    (School of Economics and Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264200, China)

  • Yun-Fei Shao

    (The School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

Abstract

As a new type of public health service product, online medical websites (OMWs) are becoming quite popular. OMWs can address patients’ basic medical problems remotely and give health guidance online. Compared to traditional hospitals, OMWs are more convenient and inexpensive, they can usually provide a better service for patients with poor medical conditions (especially in rural areas), and they also contribute to the rational distribution of medical resources. Therefore, key factors that affect patients’ acceptance of OMWs must be identified to contribute to public health. By integrating perceived risk (PR) and the technology acceptance model (TAM), we proposed a modified TAM and clarified how PR and other factors affect patients’ behavioral intention (BI) towards OMWs. A sample of 245 research participants in China took part in this study and the structural equation model (SEM) was used to test our hypotheses. The results revealed that perceived usefulness (PU) is a positive predictor of BI but has no significant effect on attitude (ATT), while perceived ease of use (PEOU) can affect BI through PU and attitude (ATT). Moreover, trust (TRU) was identified as a mediator of PR and PU/PEOU. Also, the doctor–patient relationship (DPR) was shown to moderate PR and TRU. In order to increase patients’ BI, OMW providers need further innovations to improve patients’ TRU and reduce their PR.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Tang & Yu-Tao Yang & Yun-Fei Shao, 2019. "Acceptance of Online Medical Websites: An Empirical Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:943-:d:214376
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Mengling Yan & Hongying Tan & Luxue Jia & Umair Akram, 2020. "The Antecedents of Poor Doctor-Patient Relationship in Mobile Consultation: A Perspective from Computer-Mediated Communication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Yanmei Jiang & Antonio K. W. Lau, 2023. "Understanding Post-Adoption Behavioral Intentions of Mobile Health Service Users: An Empirical Study during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-21, February.
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    6. Chong Li & Yingqi Li, 2023. "Factors Influencing Public Risk Perception of Emerging Technologies: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-37, February.
    7. T. Joseph Musandiwa & Collins C. Ngwakwe, 2020. "Effect of Technology Adoption on New Product Innovation," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 18(3 (Fall)), pages 177-194.

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