Evaluating Ghanaian Family Carers' Perceptions on the Use of Healthcare Wearable Devices by Dementia Patients

Abstract

<p>This study seeks to assess the perceptions and readiness of family carers of dementia patients in Ghana to recommend for use of healthcare wearable devices by dementia patients.</p> <p>Using a structured questionnaire, this study sampled and analyzed the views of 355 family carers from thirteen administrative regions of Ghana. The different perceptions of family carers on the use of healthcare wearable devices based on questions adapted from the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, were assessed using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression.</p> <p>The results of the regression indicated that the model explained 75.4% of the variance of behavioral intention and was a significant predictor of family carers’ perception on the use of healthcare wearable devices by patients with dementia in Ghana. In terms of the individual contributions of family carers’ perceptions based on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model’s indicators, all indicators contributed significantly to the model with p-values less than 0.05 except family carers’ perception on social influence and perception on resistance to change, which were not significant with p-values greater than 0.05.</p> <p>Despite concerns of insufficient disposable income of carers, and existence of inherent issues relating to safety, privacy and security of patients data in their quest to use healthcare wearable devices, our findings suggest that family carers in Ghana are willing and ready to recommend for use of healthcare wearable devices by dementia patients, which may consequently enhance their well-being and help satisfy their desire to live independently.</p>