Background: The rapid evolution of mobile healthcare technology holds promise for enhancing efficiency and care outcomes in nursing homes. However, accepting and effectively using such technologies poses challenges for caregivers, exacerbated by limited resources and various barriers. SmartJournal represents an innovative mobile healthcare application (app) designed specifically for enhancing oral healthcare in nursing home settings.
Objective: To investigate factors associated with intentions to use SmartJournal, focusing on the contributions of variables within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 nursing home caregivers in Norway utilising the SmartJournal app, followed by a survey assessing predictors of technology acceptance based on extended versions of the TAM framework. Factor analysis was utilised to identify and evaluate the underlying dimensions of the measured constructs and their relationships. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with intentions for future SmartJournal usage explained by the constructs in the chosen framework.
Results: The TAM variables perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and image were revealed as predictors of intention for future SmartJournal usage in the present study sample. Together, these variables explained 41.8% of the variance, with perceived usefulness being the most influential factor, accounting for 19.6%.
Conclusion: This study identified perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) as key factors associated with nursing home caregivers' intention to use SmartJournal, providing insights for future implementation of the tool.