A Comparative Study on Intention to Use Digital Therapeutics: MZ Generation and Baby Boomers’ Digital Therapeutics Use Intention in Korea

Purpose: The aim of this study lies in articulating the relationship between digital literacy and private concern as a predictor of intention to use digital therapeutics. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted through a research company among 600 panels. The survey questionnaire consists of items of digital literacy, privacy concern, perceptions, and intention to use digital therapeutics, and the participants were asked to fill out the questions online. A structural equation model was established, and the difference in paths between the MZ generation and the baby boomers were examined. Results: Public perception of digital therapeutics was categorized into seven factors and the dimension of digital literacy as categorized into three factors. For the MZ generation, digital literacy and privacy concern both directly and indirectly affect the digital therapeutics use intention, in that higher the level of digital literacy and the lower the privacy concern, digital therapeutics perception and digital therapeutics use intention becomes intensified. For the baby boomers, digital literacy and privacy concern positively affect digital therapeutics perception, and as digital therapeutics perception becomes more positive, digital therapeutics use intention also increases. Direct effects of digital literacy and privacy concern to digital therapeutics use intention were not found for the baby boomers. Conclusion: In order to promote the use of digital therapeutics, it is common for the MZ generation and baby boomers to develop a positive perception toward digital therapeutics by cultivating digital literacy. For the MZ generation, privacy concerns need to be cautiously considered as they negatively affect the intention to use digital therapeutics.