The Internet of Things (IoT) is emerging as a significant development in information technology that aims to link the digital world with the real world to improve human life. IoT refers to digital tools collecting data and providing hyper-personalized information to its users. With the rapid integration of the IoT in the healthcare sector (HIoT), it has been presumed that HIoT devices have an empowering effect on patients; however, this has yet to be investigated. Furthermore, the literature reveals a lack of consistency regarding the definition of patient empowerment. This study aims to fill these gaps and investigates whether HIoT systems increase user empowerment for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses. It also examines how empowerment is defined for HIoT users. To answer these two research questions, we conducted a qualitative research study consisting of 20 semi-structured, in-depth interviews carried out with individuals suffering from Type 1 diabetes (T1D). The interviews were transcribed and content analysis was conducted on the data. The study enabled us to examine whether and how the HIoT triggered empowerment for patients suffering from T1D. Findings reveal four main dimensions of empowerment for HIoT users: (1) self-efficacy, (2) patient control, (3) knowledge development and (4) participation in the decision-making process along with the doctor. Results also highlight that participants feel empowered by personal acceptance of living with their health condition and social support. In addition, the analysis led to the identification of the barriers which need to be overcome to ensure that HloT systems improve patient empowerment.

BACKGROUND Non-compliance to treatment is known to be critical in mental healthcare services. Yet, improving patient compliance with mental health issues remains an issue. Today, mental health apps are becoming increasingly used by individuals living with mental health disorders. These apps are supposed to facilitate patient empowerment, which would lead to greater patient trust in the health care provider and patient compliance. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the impact of patient empowerment on trust in the health care provider and patient compliance in the context of mental health apps. METHODS A total of 364 responses were collected from Canadian adult users of mental health apps diagnosed with mental health disorders. The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling was employed to test the reliability and validity of the measurement model. The path coefficients of the structural model were also calculated to test our hypotheses. RESULTS The results showed that patient empowerment gained through mental health apps positively influenced patient trust in the health care provider (β=.321, P<.001). Patient trust in the health care provider also had a positive effect on patient compliance (β=.728, P<.001). The relationship between empowerment and patient compliance was not significant (β=.062, P=.21). Interestingly, the data highlights that the effect of patient empowerment on patient compliance was fully mediated by trust in the health care provider (β=.233, P<.001). Additionally, the results show that patient empowerment gained on the mental health app involves two dimensions: a process and an outcome. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that empowerment gains through mental health apps for an individual living with mental health disorders leads to patient trust in the health care provider. Patient empowerment is found to impact patient compliance, but only through the full mediating effect of patient trust in the health care provider, indicating that patient trust is a critical variable to enhance patient compliance. Overall, our results confirm that health care providers should encourage the use of mental health apps to favor patient empowerment.

No abstract