Management of techno-psychological factors influencing the patient-physician electronic relationship

Abstract

Focusing on the patient-physician electronic relationship, this empirical study was conducted to explore certain personal traits and psychological factors that can influence behavioural attitude toward adopting a patient portal. Statistical tests were used to compare the answers of physicians and patients and to test patients' dispositions toward technology. The results revealed significant differences among physicians and patients with respect to the purpose of website referrals. With the exception of the education level, the findings indicated that age, sex and ethnicity did not significantly influence participants' attitudes. The three psychological factors used in the regression model turned out to be significant predictors of participants' behavioural attitude toward adopting the patient portal. Based on these results, e-health applications require a long-term investment in technology generation to develop a new education system that supports these online platforms; this strategy, along with adequate support from healthcare providers, will produce the most effective results.