Acceptance and Use of eHealth in Support and Psychological Therapy for People With Intellectual Disabilities: Two Cross-Sectional Studies of Health Care Professionals.

BACKGROUND

Acceptance of health care professionals is of paramount importance for the uptake and implementation of eHealth. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is a widely used framework for studying health care professionals' acceptance and actual use of eHealth among general client populations. However, there is limited understanding of the eHealth acceptance of health care professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities (ID).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the applicability of the UTAUT model toward understanding the acceptance, intention to use, and actual use of eHealth among support staff and therapists working with people with ID.

METHODS

A total of 2 cross-sectional survey studies were conducted among health care professionals from 5 health care organizations for people with ID in the Netherlands in 2018 (n=311) and in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=326). In addition to confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses to evaluate both the original UTAUT model and an extended version, descriptive analysis was used to explore participants' characteristics, acceptance levels, and eHealth usage. Moderator analysis and multiple regression analysis were also used.

RESULTS

A confirmatory factor analysis indicated a poor fit for both the original 4-factor UTAUT model and the extended version. An exploratory factor analysis was then conducted, resulting in a more satisfactory 5-factor model after removing 1 item with a factor loading <.40. Internal consistency of the 5 factors ranged from acceptable to good (Cronbach α=.76-.85). Collectively, all factors predicted the intention to use eHealth in 2018 (R=0.47; F=54.885; P<.001) and in 2021 (R=0.43; F=49.32; P<.001). Participants scored moderately on all 5 acceptance factors in both 2018 and 2021. Moderator analysis indicated that age and voluntariness influence the relationship between factors that determined acceptance and intention to use eHealth.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from 2 cross-sectional studies conducted in 2018 and 2021, using an extended UTAUT model, gave a deeper understanding of eHealth acceptance among health care professionals who work with people with ID.