Diffusion of eHealth Innovations in the Philippines: An Exploratory Study on the Adoption and Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies for Health Care

Buday, C.F.G. (2019). Diffusion of eHealth Innovations in the Philippines: An Exploratory Study on the Adoption and Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies for Health Care, Unpublished Undergraduate Paper, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

EHealth Information and Communication Technologies in the Philippines are in their nascent stage. Thus, introduction of new technological innovations is crucial to be explored in order to encourage the growth of the sector by bridging the gap among its stakeholders and communication is vital for the successful adoption of technological interventions. This exploratory study on eHealth ICTs is the first to explore experiences among social groups in engaging with eHealth ICTs in the Philippines leveraging on interpretivist paradigm of communication studies using Gaver’s Technological Affordances Theory, Pinch and Bijker’s Social Construction of Technology, and Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations. Data were gathered from inventory database, online survey, and in-depth interviews with selected representatives from the eHealth ICT producers, users, and interest groups. Results showed that the characteristics of the innovations have stronger associations with propensity to adopt eHealth ICTs than the characteristics of users. As for use, eHealth ICTs are shown to be promising in delivering better health outcomes, however, they are not properly adopted due to lack of communication among stakeholders. It is important to note that each social group has their own role to play, and such role should not be done independently but in concert with others. Hence, adoption of eHealth ICTs in the Philippines were not yet successfully diffused in the healthcare system since the agents themselves are not connected.

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