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. 2024 Jul 15;5(1):74.
doi: 10.1186/s43058-024-00614-8.

Roger's diffusion of innovations theory and the adoption of a patient portal's digital anamnesis collection tool: study protocol for the MAiBest project

Florian Wurster  1 , Paola Di Gion  2 , Nina Goldberg  3 , Volker Hautsch  2 , Klara Hefter  2 , Christin Herrmann  3 , Georg Langebartels  2 , Holger Pfaff  3 , Ute Karbach  3
Affiliations

Roger's diffusion of innovations theory and the adoption of a patient portal's digital anamnesis collection tool: study protocol for the MAiBest project

Florian Wurster et al. Implement Sci Commun. .

Abstract

Background: German hospitals are legally obliged to implement digital patient portals within the next years. Systematic reviews show that the use of patient portals may be associated with improved patient-centeredness and workflows. However, mandatory digital healthcare innovations are sometimes not used by the target group as planned or even completely rejected. Based on Roger's theory of innovation diffusion, it can be assumed that the time factor is of particular importance for the adoption of the patient portal. The aim of the project is to assess determinants of patient portal adoption and to examine whether Roger's theory can be confirmed.

Methods: The project investigates the use of the patient portal in three different clinics of a large academic teaching hospital in Germany using a longitudinal study design with three cross-sectional time points (pre, post, post). Doctors and patients are surveyed about factors that predict the use of the patient portal and whether the strength of these factors changes over time. They are also interviewed about possible barriers they experience when using the patient portal or about the reasons why the patient portal is not used. Regression models and content analyses are used to answer the research questions.

Discussion: Determinants of patient portal use will be discussed under the light of the temporal component of Roger's theory. At the same time, it is expected that some determinants will remain unchanged over time. Identifying determinants independent of time allows targeting the groups, enabling specific communication strategies to empower these groups to use the patient portal, contributing to an equal health care system.

Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered in the German register of clinical trials (DRKS00033125) in May 2024.

Keywords: Diffusion of Innovation; Digital Transformation; Germany; Hospital; Implementation Science; Patient Portal.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Temporal diffusion of innovations [25]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
MAiBest study design
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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