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Exploring factors affecting the adoption and continuance usage of drone in healthcare: The role of the environment

Author

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  • John Serbe Marfo
  • Kwadwo Kyeremeh
  • Pasty Asamoah
  • Matilda Kokui Owusu-Bio
  • Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo

Abstract

Drone technologies and healthcare delivery have attracted scholarly attention over the years. Studies have acknowledged the positive impact of the adoption and usage of drone technologies for healthcare delivery. We argue however that, knowledge is lacking on the role of the environment in drone technologies adoption, usage and continuance usage. An examination of 330 health facilities that engage in the use of drone services from Zipline Ghana showed that the environment inversely moderates the relationship between actual usage and intention to continue usage, suggesting that reducing the influence of environmental factors will increase the impact actual usage has on the continuance usage of drone technology in healthcare delivery.Author summary: Our comprehensive study delves into the intriguing intersection of drone technology and healthcare delivery, an area of significant scholarly interest. Our research addresses a critical knowledge gap by investigating how environmental factors influence the adoption and ongoing use of drone technology in healthcare. Through an extensive analysis involving 330 healthcare facilities, with Zipline Ghana as a prominent example, we reveal an insightful relationship. We contend that the environment plays a pivotal role in moderating the link between actual drone usage and the intention to continue using this technology for healthcare purposes. Our findings indicate that reducing the impact of environmental factors can substantially increase the influence of actual usage on sustained drone technology utilization in healthcare delivery. Our research not only contributes to the ongoing discourse on drones in healthcare but also emphasizes the importance of considering environmental variables in shaping the adoption and continued utilization of such technology. We anticipate that our findings will inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders, promoting the more effective integration of drones to enhance healthcare delivery, benefiting both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Suggested Citation

  • John Serbe Marfo & Kwadwo Kyeremeh & Pasty Asamoah & Matilda Kokui Owusu-Bio & Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo, 2023. "Exploring factors affecting the adoption and continuance usage of drone in healthcare: The role of the environment," PLOS Digital Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(11), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pdig00:0000266
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000266
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