Factors that Influence Medical Doctors' Behavioural Intention to Use Clinical Informatics

Abstract

A better understanding of the factors that influence the integration of clinical informatics would promote the effective utilisation of its tools, particularly among medical doctors. The overall aim of this research was to use the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to examine factors that influence medical doctors' behavioural intention to use clinical informatics. The study assessed the influence of UTAUT constructs on the acceptance and use of clinical informatics resources among medical doctors in selected teaching hospitals in Nigeria and South Africa. Quantitative research was employed through a survey. The target population consisted of medical doctors at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban, South Africa, and the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study established that all four of the UTAUT constructs (effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence) influenced the use of clinical informatics among medical doctors in the selected teaching hospitals. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that an enabling environment be created that will promote the use of clinical informatics and adequate training, which is necessary for the effective use of the tools and which will bring about positive behavioural intentions in medical doctors to accept and use clinical informatics for effective healthcare delivery.