Extending the TAM Model to Explore the Factors Affecting Intention to Use Telecare Systems

The purpose of the study is to integrate patient trust with the Technology Acceptance Model in order to explore the usage intention model of Telecare systems. The proposed framework is validated with 365 respondents from Nantou County, which is located in Taiwan. The findings show that patient trust (social trust and institutional trust) has significantly positive effects on the perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness separately, which in turn influence usage intention. This study also confirms that both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are important mediators between patient trust and usage intention. According to the statistical results, the proposed model fits very well for the samples. This study emphasizes that hospital managers should pay more attention to building a trusting relationship between the elderly and caregivers, and improving the quality of the system. The integrative viewpoint implies that a successful telecare system is not only an information system but also a service provider/department to the patients. The findings may be used as a theoretical basis for future research and can also offer empirical foresight to the executives and managers of hospitals when they initially introduce and promote the telecare systems into their surrounding community.