Health status: the pivot point in trusting smart health-care systems and providers for use

Purpose This research aims to investigate the interplay between individuals’ health status and their level of trust in both smart health-care systems and health-care providers and how these factors influence the decision to use such systems. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon institution-based trust and affordance theories, the authors developed and empirically examined a research model using a sample from a prominent US university. Findings The findings reveal that both types of trust, specifically trust in smart health-care systems and trust in health-care providers, positively influence the intention to use these systems. Additionally, the authors identified that health status plays a dual moderating role in this context. It positively moderates the relationship between trust in health-care system providers and the intention to use, suggesting that individuals with better health are more inclined to use smart health-care systems when trust in providers is high. Conversely, health status negatively moderates the relationship between trust in the system and the intention to use it. This implies that trust in the system exerts a more pronounced influence on the intention to use the system among individuals with lower health status. This heightened impact can be attributed to the increased necessity for the system’s benefits among this group. Research limitations/implications While the power analyses suggest our sample size is sufficient, caution is warranted when interpreting the study’s conclusions. These results have substantial implications for researchers and providers of smart health-care systems. They underscore the intricate dynamics between trust, health status and technology use, offering valuable insights for future investigations in this domain. Furthermore, they guide the design and implementation of smart health-care systems, emphasizing the need to consider the nuanced influence of health status on trust and use intentions. Originality/value Past research has focused on individuals’ trust in understanding the adoption of smart health-care systems; however, it did not consider how individuals’ health status can moderate their trust and intention to adopt such systems. In this study, the authors close this gap by investigating the moderating role of health status in the relationships between two types of trust and intention to use smart health-care systems through the lens of institution-based trust theory and affordance theory.