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Older people's intention to use medical apps during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: an application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2022

Yin Ma Open the ORCID record for Yin Ma [Opens in a new window]  and
Muyuan Luo Open the ORCID record for Muyuan Luo [Opens in a new window]
Yin Ma
Affiliation:
School of Philosophy and Sociology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
Muyuan Luo*
Affiliation:
Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
*
*Corresponding author. Email: luo_muyuan@sina.com
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Abstract

Previous studies on older adults' intention to adopt medical apps during irregular circumstances like the COVID-19 outbreak are still in its infancy. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we developed a theoretical framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain Chinese older people's willingness to use medical apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected 1,318 online questionnaires during the first wave of the pandemic in China in early 2020. We employed structural equation modelling to analyse the data, and the results show that (a) attitudes towards using apps influence older people's intention to use apps significantly; (b) only two factors, perceived usefulness and facilitating conditions, which were proposed in the UTAUT model, significantly predicted the older adults' intention to use apps, but not others; and (c) perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and facilitating conditions all significantly impact attitudes towards using apps. Further mediation analysis found that attitudes towards using apps significantly mediated the paths suggested in the original UTAUT model. Due to the online survey method we used, older people who do not use the internet were excluded from our sampling process. However, our timely research contributes to the existing literature by showcasing older people's usage of eHealth technology in public health emergencies. It also builds on the broader discussions on technology use by combining the TAM and the UTAUT model, highlighting the vital role of people's attitude towards using technology in shaping their intention to use it.

Keywords

Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM)COVID-19ChinaUnified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) modelmedical appsenior citizens
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 44 , Issue 7 , July 2024 , pp. 1515 - 1532
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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