Adoption of Mobile Health (m-Health) Services by Patients for Sustainable Healthcare Development: A Qualitative Exploration

DOI:10.34047/MMR.2020.9202

Abstract

Mobile health technology will enhance people's lives through raising healthcare awareness and knowledge, expanding the reach of healthcare services, and building a workforce of digitally competent healthcare workers. The adoption of mobile health is limited due to a lack of awareness, information, and interest among patients. Objective: This study aimed to explore stages of adoption process and factors impacting adoption of mobile health applications Methodology: The study was conducted in Mumbai. In total, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted. Respondents included users of fitness apps, people using mobile apps for online consultation and monitoring health parameters. Considering qualitative exploration, this study approached the investigation with three domains: stages in adoption process, hierarchy of involvement steps and various factors impacting adoption of mobile health applications. Results: Patients expressed their interest in mobile health applications specially related to fitness. Mobile Health is considered to be good option for monitoring various health parameters. Patient's attitude towards health plays an important role in adoption of mobile health applications. Various critical factors like trust on healthcare application, facilitating conditions and usefulness are driving adoption of mobile health applications. Contribution: This study will be useful for other researchers in the field of digital healthcare services. This will provide directional cues for developing m-health applications for enhancing adoption of such applications amongst patients which can be further validated through quantitative study.