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Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z

Brief about:

Journal Article (2022)

Open access
Written by:
Other researchers:
Seda Kumru
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Cite page
Aydin, Gökhan. 'Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/paving-the-way-for-increased-e-health-record-use-elaborating-intentions-of-gen-z/

 Examines the determinants of Gen-Z’s intention to adopt and use personal electronic health records (PAEHRs) in Turkey, highlighting the effects of social influence, performance expectancy, privacy concerns, and trust in the health system.

Generation Z (Gen-Z), born between 1995 and 2010, is highly digitally adept, making this demographic a crucial yet under-researched group for understanding e-health adoption patterns, particularly for personal electronic health records (PAEHRs) in Turkey. PAEHR systems, such as Turkey’s e-pulse (e-nabiz), allow individuals to access their health information, including diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and laboratory results, thus supporting patient engagement and health management. Given Gen-Z’s familiarity with digital technology and potential influence on older family members’ health technology adoption, understanding the factors that impact Gen-Z’s use of PAEHRs can offer insights into maximizing the adoption of e-health systems among broader populations. However, despite potential benefits, concerns such as privacy and data security remain significant barriers for users. This study explores the psychological and contextual factors influencing Gen-Z’s intentions to adopt and use PAEHRs through a survey of Turkish university students with prior e-pulse experience, focusing on constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

 

Key findings

  1. Social influence is the strongest predictor of Gen-Z's intention to adopt PAEHR systems.
    Evidence

    In this sample, social influence emerged as the most substantial factor shaping intentions to use PAEHRs. This aligns with existing findings that Gen-Z's decisions are strongly impacted by peer and social networks.

    What it means

    Leveraging social influence through peer and influencer endorsements may be an effective strategy to encourage PAEHR adoption among Gen-Z.

  2. Performance expectancy has a significant positive impact on Gen-Z's intention to use PAEHRs.
    Evidence

    Respondents rated the perceived usefulness of PAEHRs highly, particularly in managing health needs such as access to test results, prescriptions, and appointment scheduling. Performance expectancy was found to be a strong predictor of continued usage intentions.

    What it means

    Emphasizing practical benefits, such as health management convenience, could reinforce positive intentions toward PAEHR adoption in younger users.

  3. Privacy concerns act as a significant barrier to PAEHR adoption among Gen-Z.
    Evidence

    Privacy concerns, specifically about unauthorized access and potential misuse of personal health data, were a major factor deterring adoption, with 16% of non-users citing it as a reason for avoiding PAEHR systems.

    What it means

    Addressing privacy concerns, through clear data protection measures and transparency around data handling practices, may reduce reluctance and foster greater acceptance of PAEHRs.

  4. Trust in healthcare institutions helps mitigate privacy concerns but does not directly impact PAEHR adoption intentions.
    Evidence

    While trust in the healthcare system reduced the impact of privacy concerns, it did not significantly influence the overall intention to adopt PAEHRs. This finding contrasts with studies on older demographics, where trust more directly impacts adoption.

    What it means

    Trust-building efforts should target alleviating privacy concerns rather than directly attempting to increase adoption, as trust indirectly supports usage intentions by easing privacy-related anxieties.

  5. E-health literacy is positively associated with PAEHR usage intentions among Gen-Z.
    Evidence

    Participants with higher self-reported e-health literacy, indicating confidence in accessing and evaluating online health information, exhibited stronger intentions to use PAEHRs. Additionally, 10% of non-users indicated insufficient familiarity with the system as a barrier.

    What it means

    Promoting e-health literacy, particularly among less digitally proficient users, may facilitate greater PAEHR adoption and empower Gen-Z in health management.

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Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z

Cite this brief: Aydin, Gökhan. 'Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/paving-the-way-for-increased-e-health-record-use-elaborating-intentions-of-gen-z/

Brief created by: Dr Gökhan Aydin | Year brief made: 2024

Original research:

  • Kumru, S., & Aydin, G., ‘Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z’ https://doi.org/10.1080/20476965.2022.2129471. – https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/publications/increasing-mobile-health-application-usage-among-generation-z-mem

Research brief:

Examines the determinants of Gen-Z’s intention to adopt and use personal electronic health records (PAEHRs) in Turkey, highlighting the effects of social influence, performance expectancy, privacy concerns, and trust in the health system.

Generation Z (Gen-Z), born between 1995 and 2010, is highly digitally adept, making this demographic a crucial yet under-researched group for understanding e-health adoption patterns, particularly for personal electronic health records (PAEHRs) in Turkey. PAEHR systems, such as Turkey’s e-pulse (e-nabiz), allow individuals to access their health information, including diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and laboratory results, thus supporting patient engagement and health management. Given Gen-Z’s familiarity with digital technology and potential influence on older family members’ health technology adoption, understanding the factors that impact Gen-Z’s use of PAEHRs can offer insights into maximizing the adoption of e-health systems among broader populations. However, despite potential benefits, concerns such as privacy and data security remain significant barriers for users. This study explores the psychological and contextual factors influencing Gen-Z’s intentions to adopt and use PAEHRs through a survey of Turkish university students with prior e-pulse experience, focusing on constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Findings:

Social influence is the strongest predictor of Gen-Z’s intention to adopt PAEHR systems.

In this sample, social influence emerged as the most substantial factor shaping intentions to use PAEHRs. This aligns with existing findings that Gen-Z’s decisions are strongly impacted by peer and social networks.

Leveraging social influence through peer and influencer endorsements may be an effective strategy to encourage PAEHR adoption among Gen-Z.

Performance expectancy has a significant positive impact on Gen-Z’s intention to use PAEHRs.

Respondents rated the perceived usefulness of PAEHRs highly, particularly in managing health needs such as access to test results, prescriptions, and appointment scheduling. Performance expectancy was found to be a strong predictor of continued usage intentions.

Emphasizing practical benefits, such as health management convenience, could reinforce positive intentions toward PAEHR adoption in younger users.

Privacy concerns act as a significant barrier to PAEHR adoption among Gen-Z.

Privacy concerns, specifically about unauthorized access and potential misuse of personal health data, were a major factor deterring adoption, with 16% of non-users citing it as a reason for avoiding PAEHR systems.

Addressing privacy concerns, through clear data protection measures and transparency around data handling practices, may reduce reluctance and foster greater acceptance of PAEHRs.

Trust in healthcare institutions helps mitigate privacy concerns but does not directly impact PAEHR adoption intentions.

While trust in the healthcare system reduced the impact of privacy concerns, it did not significantly influence the overall intention to adopt PAEHRs. This finding contrasts with studies on older demographics, where trust more directly impacts adoption.

Trust-building efforts should target alleviating privacy concerns rather than directly attempting to increase adoption, as trust indirectly supports usage intentions by easing privacy-related anxieties.

E-health literacy is positively associated with PAEHR usage intentions among Gen-Z.

Participants with higher self-reported e-health literacy, indicating confidence in accessing and evaluating online health information, exhibited stronger intentions to use PAEHRs. Additionally, 10% of non-users indicated insufficient familiarity with the system as a barrier.

Promoting e-health literacy, particularly among less digitally proficient users, may facilitate greater PAEHR adoption and empower Gen-Z in health management.

Open Access|Peer Reviewed

"Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z"

Cite paper

Kumru, S., & Aydin, G., ‘Paving the way for increased e-health record use: elaborating intentions of Gen-Z’ https://doi.org/10.1080/20476965.2022.2129471.

2022 · Health SystemsFind full paper →DOI: 10.1080/20476965.2022.2129471
Co-authors
Seda Kumru
Methodology
This is a quantitative study.

This study applied a cross-sectional survey using a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to examine the factors influencing PAEHR adoption intentions among Gen-Z university students. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 353 PAEHR users from four Turkish universities, assessing constructs such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, trust, privacy concerns, and e-health literacy. Additionally, 126 non-users provided insights into barriers to adoption. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypothesized relationships and model fit.

Funding

This research was independently conducted and did not receive funding from outside of the university.

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