Drivers to adopting B-flow ultrasonography:contextualizing the integrated technology acceptance model

BACKGROUND: Ovarian torsion is an unprecedented gynecological crisis that regularly influences ladies of regenerative age. Its signs and indications are like those of other abdominal conditions, which make its differential determination testing. B-flow ultrasonography (B-flow USG), which is utilized for the differential determination of ovarian torsion, is the highest quality level non-intrusive indicative instrument in the early period of an ovarian torsion. The aim of this paper is to investigate and incorporate variety of factors affecting physicians’ actual use of B-flow USG. METHODS: Drawing from technology acceptance model (TAM), five variables – actual use, behavioral intention to use, attitude toward use, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness – are integrated with social influence and knowledge to propose a theoretical model. The data was collected from the medical doctors including radiologists, urologists, gynecologists, pediatric surgeons between June and October 2018. The sample size is N = 512 hence, structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology has been implemented to study the relationship between explanatory factors and actual use of B-flow USG. SmartPLS 3.2.7 software was used for the data analysis and testing of the validity of the eight hypotheses. RESULTS: The results indicate that actual use of B-flow USG is positively affected by knowledge, social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use and behavioral intention to use. CONCLUSIONS: It is discovered that perceived usefulness mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and attitude toward use, and attitude toward use mediates the relationship between perceived usefulness and behavioral intention to use B-flow USG. The implications of the outcomes are discussed, and suggestions for future research are made.