An examination of the components that increase acceptance of smartphones among healthcare professionals

Objective: The professional benefits of mobile computing and communication devices such as the smartphone promise to alter the delivery of healthcare services. Historically the healthcare industry has trailed other business sectors in the adoption of technology. Yet, it appears that smartphones are increasingly being embraced by healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurses. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential factors that may affect the adoption of a smartphone by healthcare professionals. Methods: It is unclear which factors affect the acceptance of mobile computing devices by healthcare professionals. This study integrates the factors from the Technology Acceptance Model, Self-Efficacy, and the Innovation Diffusion Theory to help explain the components which increase smartphone acceptance among healthcare professionals in two countries. We collected 153 surveys from two countries: 88 from the United States and 65 from Taiwan. Results: The results showed that attitude toward using a smartphone and smartphone selfefficacy had a direct positive influence on the intention to use a smartphone. This study also demonstrated that perceived usefulness and task relatedness indirectly influenced the intention to use a smartphone. Discussion: Healthcare professionals who feel they can successfully master the functions of a smartphone are more apt to use the technology. The findings of this study appear to substantiate that healthcare professionals will increasingly embrace smartphones when they perceive them as a useful accompanying tool to further assist with the completion of clinical tasks. Conclusion: As the use of smartphones continues to proliferate, our study should further help researchers more fully understand salient factors which encourage adoption of mobile technologies. Thus, future smartphone applications and software programs can target specific needs of health professionals.