title: Predictive factors of telemedicine service acceptance and behavioral intention of physicians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the proliferation of telemedicine technology, telemedicine service acceptance has been slow in actual healthcare settings. The purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical model for explaining the predictive factors influencing physicians' willingness to use telemedicine technology to provide healthcare services.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed the Telemedicine Service Acceptance model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) with the inclusion of three predictive constructs from the previously published telemedicine literature: (1) accessibility of medical records and of patients as clinical factors, (2) self-efficacy as an individual factor and (3) perceived incentives as regulatory factors. A survey was conducted, and structural equation modeling was applied to evaluate the empirical validity of the model and causal relationships within the model using the data collected from 183 physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results confirmed the validity of the original TAM constructs: the perceived usefulness of telemedicine directly impacted the behavioral intention to use it, and the perceived ease of use directly impacted both the perceived usefulness and the behavioral intention to use it. In addition, new predictive constructs were found to have ramifications on TAM variables: the accessibility of medical records and of patients directly impacted the perceived usefulness of telemedicine, self-efficacy had a significant positive effect on both the perceived ease of use and the perceived usefulness of telemedicine, and perceived incentives were found to be important with respect to the intention to use telemedicine technology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that the Telemedicine Service Acceptance model was feasible and could explain the acceptance of telemedicine services by physicians. These results identified important factors for increasing the involvement of physicians in telemedicine practice.
authors: Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea Songeui Campus, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Mi Jung
authors: MJ
authors: Rho
authors: Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea Songeui Campus, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: iychoi@catholic.ac.kr.
authors: In Young
authors: IY
authors: Choi
authors: Graduate School of Business, Sogang University, Sinsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 121-742, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jaebeom
authors: J
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D020811:Biomedical Technology; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavioral intention to use; Physicians; Technology Acceptance Model; Telemedicine Service