Ready for eHealth? Health Professionals’ Acceptance and Adoption of eHealth Interventions in Inpatient Routine Care

Abstract

eHealth interventions can be effective in treating health problems. However, adoption in inpatient routine care seems limited. The present study therefore aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators to acceptance of eHealth interventions and of online aftercare in particular in health professionals of inpatient treatment. A total of 152 out of 287 health professionals of various professional groups in four inpatient rehabilitation facilities filled out a self-administered web-based questionnaire (response rate: 53%); 128 individuals were eligible for further data analysis. Acceptance and possible predictors were investigated with a complex research model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Acceptance of eHealth interventions was rather low (M = 2.47, SD = 0.98); however, acceptance of online aftercare was moderate (M = 3.08, SD = 0.96, t(127) = 8.22, p < .001), and eHealth literacy was elevated. Social influence, performance expectancy, and treatment-related internet and mobile use significantly predicted overall acceptance. No differences were found between professional and age groups. Although acceptance of eHealth interventions was limited in health professionals of inpatient treatment, moderate acceptance of online aftercare for work-related stress implies a basis for future implementation. Tailored eHealth education addressing misconceptions about inferiority and incongruity with conventional treatment considering the systemic aspect of acceptance formation are needed.

Acknowledgments

The authors like to thank all participants of the survey and the clinical directors and research assistants of the Mittelrhein-Klinik Boppard/Bad Salzig (Frank. M. Rudolph, MD; Ursula Wittig), Edelsteinklinik Bruchweiler (Edith Waldeck, MD; Daniel Funck), Drei-Burgen-Klinik Bad Kreuznach (Ute Dederichs-Masius, MD; Michael Wiegert), Fachklinik Eußerthal (Thomas Korte, MD; Nikolaus Lange).

Funding

The present study is part of a dissertation project of SH and was funded by a research grant of the Illa and Werner Zarnekow Foundation for Rehabilitation Sciences (T225-22.771). The funders had no role in designing the study, data collection and analysis, or preparation of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The present study is part of a dissertation project of SH and was funded by a research grant of the Illa and Werner Zarnekow Foundation for Rehabilitation Sciences (T225-22.771). The funders had no role in designing the study, data collection and analysis, or preparation of this manuscript.