JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With the rise in the use of information and communication technologies in health care, there has been a push for patients to accept more responsibility for their health and well-being using eHealth tools such as personal health records (PHRs). PHRs support patient-centered care and patient engagement. To support the achievement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, the National Transformation program provides a framework to use PHRs in meeting the triple aim for health care – increased access, reduced cost, and improved quality of care – and to provide patient- and person-centered care. However, there has been limited research on PHR uptake within the country.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of patient intention to utilize the Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNG-HA) PHR (MNGHA Care) using an adapted model of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the theoretical framework.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study utilized a survey developed based on the UTAUT to measure behavioral intention to use MNGHA Care among adults visiting MNG-HA facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, Al Ahsa, and Qassim. The main theory constructs performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and positive attitude toward using the PHR were collected as independent variables. Age, gender, experience with health applications, and health status were tested as moderators between the main theory constructs and behavioral intention using hierarchical multiple regression.

Results:

Of the eligible population, a total of 261 adult patients were included in the analysis with a mean age of 35.07 years (± 9.61), male (n=132, 50.6%), university-educated (n=118, 45.2%), and at least one chronic medical condition (n=139, 53.3%). The model explained 48.9% of the variance in behavioral intention to use the PHR (P=.377). Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and positive attitude were significantly associated with behavioral intention to use the PHR (P<.05). Prior experience with health applications moderated the relationship between social influence and behavioral intention to use the PHR (P=.043).

Conclusions:

This research contributes to the existing literature on PHR adoption broadly as well as in the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Understanding which factors are associated with patient adoption of PHRs can guide future development and support the country’s aim of transforming the health care system. Similar to other studies on PHR adoption, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and positive attitude are important factors, and practical consideration should be given to how support these areas.