JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Personal health records (PHRs) are eHealth tools designed to support patient engagement and patient- and person-centered care. As health care organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia begin to adopt PHRs, understanding the health care provider’s (HCP) perspective can contribute to patient adoption. Endorsement of a PHR by HCPs has been found to facilitate patient acceptance. However, no studies have evaluated HCPs’ acceptance of PHRs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of HCPs’ behavioral intention to recommend patient use of an organization’s PHR.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study utilized a survey developed based on UTAUT to measure HCPs’ behavioral intention to support patient use of the MNGHA Care PHR. The main theory constructs of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and positive attitude toward using the PHR were collected as independent variables. Age, years of experience, and professional role were tested as moderators between the main theory constructs and behavioral intention using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Results:

Of the 291 participants who participated in the survey, 246 were included in the final analysis. Behavioral intention to support PHR use was significantly influenced by performance expectancy (β=0.17, p =.03) and attitude (β=0.61, p < .01). No moderating effects were present.

Conclusions:

This study identified the predictors of HCPs’ recommending patients use a PHR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In order to encourage HCPs to endorse PHRs, health care organizations should involve HCPs in the implementation and provide training on the features available as well as expected benefits. Future studies should be conducted in other contexts and include other potential predictors.