Illegible written prescriptions and “Doctor’s handwriting” may have been synonymous, but
this stereotype has begun to change with the gradual uptake of e-prescriptions. These eprescriptions
are electronically captured and delivered prescriptions, and are touted as the
solution to the many medical risks caused by written prescriptions. Whilst there is published
support for the benefits of e-prescriptions, the uptake of e-prescribing has been too gradual
for all patients to enjoy these benefits. The inadequate research into physicians’ adoption of
e-prescribing systems presents a need for further study in this area, in an effort to improve the
general use of these systems.
Based on a review of literature, this study proposes six factors which may explain physicians’
intentions to use e-prescribing systems. These factors are based upon the Unified Theory of
Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). This model is extended in this study by
Social Dominance Theory, Commitment-Trust Theory and the Product Evaluation Model.
Quantitative data was collected to test the proposed hypotheses. This data was gathered from
physicians who have had some exposure to an e-prescription system. 72 usable responses
were obtained for this study.
The results of the study suggest that Performance Expectancy and Price Value have the
highest influence on Behavioural Intention. Effort Expectancy and Social Influence had no
direct influence on Behavioural Intention when in the presence of other variables, but they,
along with Trust, had an indirect effect on Behavioural Intention through Performance
Expectancy. Surprisingly, Social Dominance Orientation was not found to have an influence
on Behavioural Intention. Implications, contributions and further research are discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/12837 |
| Date | 16 July 2013 |
| Creators | Jones, Michael Edward |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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