BACKGROUND
Smartwatches with an electrocardiography (ECG)-application, which are able to detect cardiac arrhythmias, can be important tools for healthcare. These devices are easy to use, collect valuable health data and fit inside many people’s daily routines. Although health wearables offer many benefits, adoption rates are lagging. Few studies on the reasons for this are available and those which are, do not focus on devices with an ECG-application.
OBJECTIVE
This study combines factors of the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technologies (UTAUT2) with privacy concerns, innovativeness and health-related factors to present a model predicting adoption intention of smartwatches with an ECG-application.
METHODS
By means of an online survey, data from 753 respondents (38.5% men, Mage=34.33, SDage=15.68) were collected and analyzed. These data were collected through advertisements on social media and physical recruiting in a public library.
RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant positive relationships between adoption intention and performance expectancy (β=.205, P<.001), habit (β=.192, P<.001), personal innovativeness (β=.184, P<.001), hedonic motivation (β=.169, P<.001), social influence (β=.139, P<.001), and price value (β=.091, P<.001). Ownership of a wearable (β=.144, P<.001) and age (β=.067, P=.008) also significantly contributed to our model. Privacy concerns, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and health-related factors were not significantly associated with adoption intention.
CONCLUSIONS
The absence of relationships between health-related factors and adoption intention, indicates that smartwatches with an ECG-application are still perceived as an innovative gadget, rather than as a medical device that can help save the user’s life. We also provide suggestions for healthcare providers and companies bringing health wearables to market.