Factors affecting compliance with use of online healthcare services among adults in Israel

BACKGROUND: The use of online health services (henceforth, OHS) among middle-aged to older adults can make health-related actions more accessible to this population group as well as help reduce the burden on the health system and avoid unnecessary costs. The study’s objectives were to examine the responsiveness and willingness of individuals aged 45+ to use different OHS and to characterize the attitudes and main factors influencing that responsiveness. METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey among a sample of 703 individuals constituting a representative sample of the Israeli population of individuals aged 45+. The research questionnaire integrates the principles of the Adopting Medical Information Technologies model and includes socio-demographic attributes. RESULTS: The results indicate that 78 % of internet users claimed to use at least one OHS (79 % of the Jewish sector and 66 % of the non-Jewish sector). Nevertheless, 22 % of internet users do not use OHS. Most online use is on Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) websites to obtain administrative information. Frequency of OHS use increases as the following factors increase: perceived ease of online use; extent of encouragement for online use; perceived reliability of online health services; and extent of advertisement exposure. The study found that OHS use is much more prevalent among wealthy populations. In addition, individuals’ attitudes and the extent of their exposure to advertisement influence their use and intention to use OHS. CONCLUSIONS: A number of recommendations emerge from the study: 1) For OHS use to increase online health websites should be made more accessible to middle aged-older adults individuals and those of different languages and cultures. 2) Programs should be developed to teach HMO staff to encourage patients to use OHS. 3) Media advertising that encourages the use of OHS should be expanded.