Exploring Technology Acceptance of Healthcare Devices: The Moderating Role of Device Type and Generation

Sensors (Basel). 2024 Dec 11;24(24):7921. doi: 10.3390/s24247921.

Abstract

The increasing adoption of healthcare devices necessitates a deeper understanding of the factors that influence user acceptance in this rapidly evolving area. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the technology acceptance of healthcare devices, focusing on radar sensors and wearable devices. A total of 1158 valid responses were used to test hypotheses, mediation, and moderation effects using SmartPLS 4.0. The results highlighted the significant role of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and perceived risk in shaping user attitudes and trust, which in turn influence behavioral intention. The findings suggested that attitudes fully mediate the effects of performance expectancy and effort expectancy on behavioral intention, while social influence, facilitating conditions, and perceived risk exhibit partial mediation. Moderation analysis revealed significant effects of generation on the relationship between attitude, trust, and behavioral intention. Additionally, device type moderated the effect of trust on behavioral intention, showing a different influence between radar sensors and wearable devices. These findings provide theoretical contributions by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model and offering practical implications for manufacturers and policymakers to tailor strategies that foster positive attitudes, enhance trust, and address generational and device-specific differences in healthcare technology adoption.

Keywords: Internet of Things (IoT); attitude; device type; generation; healthcare device; perceived risk; trust; unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude
  • Biomedical Technology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Radar
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Trust
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*
  • Young Adult