Factors Influencing Uptake And Use Of A New Health Information App For Young People

Factors Influencing Uptake And Use Of A New Health Information App For Young People

When young people need health information they are increasingly likely to use online sources and health apps (applications). Yet, these are not necessarily well-designed, reliable or appropriate, and research has primarily focused on adult use. Our study is the first to use qualitative mixed methods (focus groups and interviews) to apply the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand 26 young people's uptake and use of a new, clinically-approved health app (application) for 16-25-year olds. We found that perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, social influences and trust, all differently impacted children and young people health-app acceptance and effectiveness. Implications for future research and young-person health-app development are discussed.

Factors Influencing Uptake And Use Of A New Health Information App For Young People

Date Published
Mon, 1st Jan 2018
Publisher
Journal of Technology in Human Services
Reference
Russell, E., Lloyd-Houldey, A., Memon, A., & Yarker, J. (2019). Factors influencing uptake and use of a new health information app for young people. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 1-19.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2018.1536911
Categories
Keywords
Young People, Digital Health, Healthcare

When young people need health information they are increasingly likely to use online sources and health apps (applications). Yet, these are not necessarily well-designed, reliable or appropriate, and research has primarily focused on adult use. Our study is the first to use qualitative mixed methods (focus groups and interviews) to apply the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand 26 young people's uptake and use of a new, clinically-approved health app (application) for 16-25-year olds. We found that perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, social influences and trust, all differently impacted children and young people health-app acceptance and effectiveness. Implications for future research and young-person health-app development are discussed.