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Article

Leveraging the TOE Framework: Examining the Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) to Mitigate Health Inequalities

1
Department of Information Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
2
School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Information 2024, 15(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040176
Submission received: 19 February 2024 / Revised: 21 March 2024 / Accepted: 22 March 2024 / Published: 23 March 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: "Information Processes")

Abstract

(1) Aims and Objectives: Mobile health (mHealth) is increasingly becoming a favorite healthcare delivery solution in underserved areas around the globe. This study aims to identify the influence of technology–organization–environment (TOE) factors on mHealth adoption and to assess the influence of mHealth on the reduction in health disparities in the context of healthcare delivery in low-resource settings. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey of physicians and nurses was carried out at six hospitals in the public and private health sectors in Pakistan. The survey’s theoretical foundation is based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework. TOE constructs (relative advantage, compatibility, management support, organizational readiness, external support, and government regulations) were used to develop hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). (3) Results: Findings from this study show that management support and external support are the two main predictors of mHealth adoption among healthcare professionals. The study proposes an mHealth adoption model that can significantly contribute towards improving medical outcomes, reducing inefficiencies, expanding access, lowering costs, raising quality, making medicine more personalized for patients, and gaining advantages from mHealth solutions in order to reduce health disparities. (4) Conclusion: The study suggests that there is no single approach that could support mHealth adoption. Instead, a holistic approach is required that considers cultural, economic, technological, organizational, and environmental factors for successful mHealth adoption in low-resource settings. Our proposed mHealth model offers guidance to policymakers, health organizations, governments, and political leaders to make informed decisions regarding mHealth implementation plans.
Keywords: mHealth adoption; TOE framework; health disparities; healthcare; access mHealth adoption; TOE framework; health disparities; healthcare; access

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bin Naeem, S.; Azam, M.; Kamel Boulos, M.N.; Bhatti, R. Leveraging the TOE Framework: Examining the Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) to Mitigate Health Inequalities. Information 2024, 15, 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040176

AMA Style

Bin Naeem S, Azam M, Kamel Boulos MN, Bhatti R. Leveraging the TOE Framework: Examining the Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) to Mitigate Health Inequalities. Information. 2024; 15(4):176. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040176

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bin Naeem, Salman, Mehreen Azam, Maged N. Kamel Boulos, and Rubina Bhatti. 2024. "Leveraging the TOE Framework: Examining the Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) to Mitigate Health Inequalities" Information 15, no. 4: 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040176

APA Style

Bin Naeem, S., Azam, M., Kamel Boulos, M. N., & Bhatti, R. (2024). Leveraging the TOE Framework: Examining the Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) to Mitigate Health Inequalities. Information, 15(4), 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040176

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