Allied Health Acceptance of an Electronic Medical Record: Applying a modified UTAUT Model
Kath Feely1,2,3, Abraham Alvandi1, Lara Edbrooke2,4 1The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia2Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia3The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia4The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
There is limited evidence describing the impact of technology, including electronic medical record (EMR), implementation on allied health (AH) professionals’ acceptance and expectations. This study used a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to investigate user acceptance by Allied Health prior to the implementation of a new mandatory EMR at the Parkville precinct in Melbourne.
Method
The study utilised a pre-implementation online survey identifying perceptions of acceptance and expectations related to the impact of EMR. We investigated whether anxiety and attitude towards technology were influenced by performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. Structural equation modelling was used to study the overall fit of the UTAUT model in predicting the variables. Participant’s age, IT skill level and employment duration were tested as moderators. The extent of the relationship among factors was assessed by using SPSS Amos version 23.
Results
Surveys were completed by 207 AH clinicians (43% response rate; female (86.5%), age >30 (57.3 %), more than 2 years of work experience (54.6%)). The structural model fit was acceptable or slightly less than a good fit (CMIN/DF = 2.29, CFI > 0.85, RMSEA = 0.08). The results demonstrate (p<0.01) that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and being employed longer positively impacted attitude. Facilitating conditions, effort expectancy and confidence with IT decreased anxiety.
Discussion
Understanding expectations prior to implementation of technology can facilitate change management and support activities. These results may provide insight for AH technology projects to assist with engagement and uptake.
Biography
Kath Feely has worked in Public Health in Victoria for more than 20 years as a physiotherapist and more recently in clinical informatics and EMR implementations. She is the Chief Allied Health Information Officer at Parkville Precinct. Kath is passionate about using technology and data to evaluate and improve clinical service delivery and patient outcomes. In 2021 Kath received a Brilliant Women in Digital Health award from Telstra Health.