The Adoption of Digital Health Self-Monitoring Devices among Sub-healthy Chinese Groups

Abstract

In today's technologically advanced world, digital health monitoring devices are becoming increasingly popular in China for managing chronic diseases and sub-healthy conditions. This trend marks a crucial shift in the healthcare sector, showcasing technology's importance in disease management and prevention. Understanding the behavioral intentions and perceptions of the Chinese, particularly those in sub-healthy groups, towards these technologies is essential for creating effective marketing strategies and health policies that meet user needs. This thesis thoroughly analyses factors influencing the intention to use and adopt digital health self-monitoring devices among the Chinese sub-healthy population. It examines the impact of individual attitudes and behavioral intentions on these devices, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with the Health Belief Model (HBM) and incorporating Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), reflecting Chinese collectivist culture. A comprehensive mixed-methods approach, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for quantitative analysis and interpretive qualitative methods, supports this research. The study engaged 1200 Chinese sub-healthy participants, with 694 usable datasets remaining after data cleaning, indicating a 57.8% response rate. SEM results provide insights into the model, particularly regarding the intentions of the Chinese sub-health group toward health self-monitoring devices, with the theoretical model explaining 67.8% of the total variance. Thematic analysis offers a deeper understanding of underlying motivations and perceptions. This study significantly contributes to health technology adoption research by integrating TAM, HBM, and socio-cultural factors within the Chinese context. It emphasizes the need for robust policy frameworks to ensure the quality and safety of health monitoring devices, advocating for stringent enforcement strategies, including inspections, testing, and stakeholder collaboration. Key recommendations include implementing educational programs tailored to Chinese cultural values to enhance public awareness and knowledge and establishing a regulatory framework for ensuring device quality, safety, and data privacy, encompassing manufacturing, testing, and ongoing monitoring standards.

Date of Award	Mar 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Coventry University
Supervisor	Esin Yoruk (Supervisor) & Xue Zhou (Supervisor)