title: The acceptance of personal health devices among patients with chronic conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Personal health devices (PHDs) are rapidly developing and getting smarter. But little is known about chronic patients' acceptance of such PHDs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to explore how chronic patients accept PHDs and what are the main factors that predict use intention of PHDs. The results will provide suggestions for the design of PHDs and e-health services.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the main factors that affect chronic patients' acceptance of PHDs. Three hundred and forty-six valid responses from chronic patients were collected and the data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis method. The questionnaire also included questions about respondents' experience of PHDs and preference of PHD functions. These questions help to understand lived experience of PHD users and to explain the factors that influence their use intention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five influencing factors that predict use intention of PHDs were identified: attitude toward technology, perceived usefulness, ease of learning and availability, social support, and perceived pressure. An acceptance model of PHDs was proposed based on these factors, and suggestions for PHD designers and e-health service designers were discussed. The exploration of PHD experience indicated that ease of learning and social norm significantly influenced PHD use intention, and many respondents expressed negative opinions on the accuracy, durability and maintenance service of PHDs. Besides, people generally expressed positive attitude toward future functions of a PHD.
authors: Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Sun
authors: Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. Electronic address: rpl@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn.
authors: Pei-Luen Patrick
authors: PL
authors: Rau
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Acceptance; Chronic patient; Experience of PHDs; Function preference; Personal health device; Use intention