Cultural differences in technology acceptance of COPD patients oh cool: a crosscountry focusgroup study

Crossborder healthcare use can improve health care accessibility of European citizens, and collaboration is needed to make this work. There is nothing known about cultural differences regarding technology acceptance. Aim is to explore differences in technology acceptance of COPD patients in 4 countries. We performed 8 focus groups in the Netherlands, UK, Germany and Belgium. We used the Unified theory for technology acceptance as basis. Patients filled in a questionnaire (demographics, COPD and technology experience). All patients (n=61, mean age 69 yrs, 46 % male) considered digital health unavoidable (Dutch: „The pressure in healthcare is high, so I would say just do it’’). Despite the fact that healthcare accessibility is a problem in all countries, UK patients remained very positive about the NHS, whereas Dutch patients were critical and worried about their healthcare. Belgium patients were most experienced with digital health. Dutch patients were least concerned about their privacy. In the UK and Belgium several patients mentioned that laziness was one of their barriers (UK: „ I am just lazy because my granddaughter, she is regulating that [technology]”). One UK participant was illiterate and he expects that digital information can be provided through audio/video. In all countries was the role of informal caregivers essential for digital support. Germans would like to have more digital applications, but healthcare organisations don’t offer them yet. This study showed differences between the countries, not only reflecting different healthcare systems but also cultural believes. It is important to take these into account when developing and implementing crossborder digital health