The Acceptance and Use of the e-Health Instrument 'The Personal Health Check' in Four Dutch Municipalities: Lessons...

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Public health informatics
• Primary care technology

Background:

• e-Health instruments offer personalized health insights and interventions.
• The Personal Health Check (PHC) was piloted in Dutch primary care settings to assess user acceptance and technology adoption.
• The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology provided the framework for evaluating the PHC's implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptance and usage of the e-Health Personal Health Check (PHC) instrument.
• To understand user and professional perspectives on the PHC in primary care.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of the PHC.

Main Methods:

• Data collection via PHC instrument logs, participant questionnaires, focus groups, and non-responder interviews.
• Assessment of user acceptance using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology.
• Analysis of participation rates and feedback from clients and healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Participants and primary care professionals reported predominantly positive experiences with the PHC.
• Users indicated efforts to implement lifestyle advice received from the PHC.
• Invitations from general practitioners significantly increased participation compared to municipal invitations.
• A low overall response rate (12%) was observed, suggesting limitations for public health policy development.

Conclusions:

• The Personal Health Check (PHC) demonstrates user and professional acceptance in primary care settings.
• The effectiveness of the PHC for widespread public health policy is limited by its low participation rate.
• Targeted invitations, particularly from general practitioners, enhance engagement with digital health tools.