Diffusion of Medical Innovation: Predicting Patient Attitudes and Intentions to Use Self-Service Technology in Hospitals: Evidence from Chinese Hospitals

Abstract

Self-service technologies have become a part of hospital life in several countries but with some level of difficulty with general acceptability and usage among patients. The study sought to empirically test the validity of the existing conceptual model and hypotheses on adoption and use of Technology in Chinese hospitals, assess different antecedents' influence on patient attitudes towards self-serving technologies at the hospital, investigate if attitudes towards self-serving technologies and predicts patients' intention to use the technology and empirically test the different variables' are moderating effect on the relationship between attitudes and intention to use self-service technology by patients in Chinese hospitals. A quantitative study based on non-probability sampling and involving the administration of questionnaires to patients in selected hospitals across China. The resulting 384 valid data sets are analysed through a quantitative procedure, using SPSS software and reveal that perceived ease of use, enjoyment speed and control are all significantly predicting consumers' attitudes towards self-serving hospital technology. Furthermore, there is a strong relationship between attitudes and the intention to use self-self-serving hospital technology which is attenuated by an infrequent use of self-service technologies, yet not by a high need for personal interaction. Results furthermore reveal significant variances between different age groups and respondents with different education levels. Based on the discussion of findings, managerial implications, such as the need to promote self-selfserving hospital technology as "fast lane" and theoretical implications are stated.