Patients’ trust in health information sources as an antecedent of novel healthcare technology usage

Abstract Background As professional health information sources, healthcare maintenance organizations (HMOs) need to convince patients of the necessity, efficiency, and reliability of technology-based services to increase and optimize their usage. It raises the question of whether patients’ trust in health information sources shapes the use of technology-based services and, in return, increases their willingness to use novel healthcare services in the future. Methods Data were collected through an online close-ended survey among 668 adult Israeli citizens insured with Israeli health insurance (85% of them Jewish, 52.5% female, and in their early 40s, with half holding an academic degree). The survey explored actual use and willingness to use innovative healthcare technologies and the trust respondents attributed to various sources of health information. Data were analyzed by SPSS 28. Results Participants generally use healthcare technology primarily to schedule appointments, search for medical information, and make health-related requests. To quite an extent, they are willing to be treated with innovative healthcare technologies (e.g., for radiological purposes and personally tailored medication). Preliminary results suggest that trust in the measured formal health information sources (i.e., formal health providers, HMO, HMO online services) was positively associated with technology-based healthcare services usage (r=.14 - .20, p<.001). A positive association also emerged between the current use of healthcare technology and the willingness to use innovative medical technologies in the future (r=.23, p<.001). Conclusions HMOs, as key players, have the power to maximize the usage of advanced health services by establishing trusting relationships with their patients. This will increase the usage of healthcare technology-based services and generate positive patient experiences, which will result in the willingness to experience novel types of health services in the future. Key messages • Encouraging patients to use technology-based health services will maximize the potential inherent in the use of innovative health services and treatments in the future. • Nurturing trusting relationships with patients at any level in the health system will increase their compliance with health providers’ recommendations to use advanced health services.