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eHEALTH IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF GERMANY'S ELECTRONIC HEALTH CARD
Author(s) -
WIRTZ BERND W.,
MORY LINDA,
ULLRICH SEBASTIAN
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.313
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1467-9299
pISSN - 0033-3298
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9299.2011.02004.x
Subject(s) - ehealth , usability , technology acceptance model , german , relevance (law) , structural equation modeling , empirical research , business , health sector , marketing , health services , public relations , health care , computer science , political science , medicine , economics , environmental health , economic growth , philosophy , population , archaeology , epistemology , human–computer interaction , machine learning , law , history
Given the increasing importance of eHealth as an integral part of eGovernment, this contribution concentrates on the issue of acceptance regarding the introduction of the German electronic health card (eHC). A brief introduction highlights the relevance of the subject and the differing acceptance rates of patients and service providers, i.e. physicians. Based on both the technology acceptance model and the relevant literature, important factors influencing the attitude towards and the potential use of the eHC are conceptualized and integrated in a research model. The empirical examination was conducted throughout Germany through an online survey of physicians. Overall, 502 responses were collected and included in the analysis, which was carried out with structural equation modelling using EQS. The empirical results show that the relevant determinants of the acceptance of the eHC in Germany, such as efficiency and usability of the system and the cost–benefit ratio, were properly identified.