JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a lifestyle-related disease, which prevalence increases with age. Diabetes self-management through mobile health (mHealth) apps enables T2D patients to improve their health. Following the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), technology acceptance (i.e., intended use) is necessary to ensure mHealth can be implemented successfully. Therefore, the specific acceptance requirements of T2D patients should be considered.

Objective:

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the extent to which different TAM predictors are associated with the acceptance of a diabetes app including an eCoach (Iris app) among T2D patients.

Methods:

Using a web-based survey, data of 92 T2D patients (M=62.76; SD=8.29), were collected. Acceptance of the Iris app with the TAM predictors (i.e., perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, perceived self-efficacy, perceived security, prior usage experience, perceived health, and propensity of data/information sharing) were assessed. Also, control variables (i.e., gender, age, education, ethnicity, household, body mass index (BMI), amount of years with diabetes, diabetes related complaints, and medication use) were assessed.

Results:

Multiple linear regression analyses showed that acceptance regarding the Iris app was positively associated with perceived usefulness (β= .52, P < .001), social influence (subjective norm) (β= .18, P = .02) and willingness to share data (β= .22, P = .002). In addition, acceptance regarding the Iris app was higher among T2D patients with overweight or obese BMI (β= .22, P = .01; β= .20, P = .02, respectively). The model explained 78.2% of the variance in T2D patients’ acceptance regarding the Iris app. Additionally, perceived usefulness regarding the Iris app was positively related to perceived ease of use (β= .32, P = .003), subjective norm (β= .26, P = .006), perceived control (β= .21, P = .03) and willingness to share data (β= .22, P = .01) regarding the Iris app, and perceived security regarding general use of apps/smartphone/internet (β= .24, P = .04). The model explained 59.9% of the variance in patients’ perceived usefulness regarding the Iris app.

Conclusions:

Among T2D patients, the belief that the use of the Iris app is helpful/beneficial, the willingness to share their Iris app data, and others’ approval of using this app, can stimulate the acceptance of this app. In addition, the belief that the use of (health) apps is reliable and secure, the belief that the use of the Iris app is easy to use, a higher perceived capability and personal control with using this app, the willingness to share their Iris app data, and others’ approval of using this app, can stimulate the perceived usefulness of such an app. These TAM predictors explained a high variance in acceptance and perceived usefulness of the Iris app. Implications for practice are addressed.