Adoption challenges for wearable devices by the Indian healthcare providers : A case study on healthcare providers using wearables in India

Abstract: Background: The rapid advancements in technology to measure different bodily functions have enabled normal person to measure various biological values of a body such as a heartbeat, calories, blood pressure, and more. These measurements can help healthcare providers provide better disease assessment, but what are the challenges that make it difficult for healthcare providers to adopt such devices? Purpose: This thesis investigates the challenges that healthcare providers face in adopting wearable devices. Method: To achieve the thesis' purpose, the authors choose to conduct a quantitative study through a survey and a qualitative study through semi-structured interviews. The data was acquired through an online survey of Indian healthcare providers and the public, which was distributed using the messaging app WhatsApp. To ensure that enough responses were collected, the authors adopted a non-probability snowball sampling approach. The interviews were conducted in India in person. The questionnaire was divided into five sections based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), two well-known theories for predicting human behaviour on technology adoption. Finding: The findings reveal that individuals' attitudes towards using wearables and their purchase intentions serve as strong predictors of its adoption intention. The study also highlights that the primary challenges hindering the adoption of wearable technologies in the healthcare sector are the ease of use and device affordability. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of wearables, offering valuable insights for healthcare professionals and stakeholders in promoting their effective implementation.