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A Pathway to Sustainable Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Digital Health Services

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New Approaches to CSR, Sustainability and Accountability, Volume II

Abstract

In this paper, we aim to examine the effect of health information orientation on attitudes toward using digital health services and explore the mediating role of e-health literacy in this relationship. We also tested the impact of attitudes toward using digital health services on digital health service use intention. We collected data through an online survey method. A total of 520 respondents participated, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that people who are health information oriented and capable of finding and utilizing e-health information have positive attitudes and intention toward using digital health service. Variables in the model explain 60% of the variance in digital health service use intention. This study confirmed the partial mediating role of e-health literacy on the relationship between health information orientation and attitudes toward using digital health services. Future research is needed to explore whether these relationships are confirmed in a specific health context. Furthermore, comparing the digital health service usage attitudes and intentions of people who have and do not have chronic illnesses can also be insightful. Cross-cultural comparisons may also add to the knowledge related to the adoption of digital health services. We conducted this study during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and explored the digital health service use intention partly within the Theory of Reasoned Action framework. We have also tried to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals with our research results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey

    Hilal Özen

  2. Department of Marketing, School of Business, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Bahar Yaşin

Authors
  1. Hilal Özen
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  2. Bahar Yaşin
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Correspondence to Bahar Yaşin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey

    Kıymet Tunca Çalıyurt

Appendix: Scale Items Details

Appendix: Scale Items Details

Health Information Orientation

HIO1 It is important to me to be informed about health issues.

HIO2 I need to know about health issues so I can keep myself and my family healthy.

HIO3 Before making a decision about my health, I find out everything I can about the issue.

HIO4 I really enjoy learning about health issues.

HIO5 To be and stay healthy it is critical to be informed about health issues.

HIO6 When I take medicine, I try to get as much information as possible about its benefits and side effects.

HIO7 I make a point to read and watch stories about health.

e-Health Literacy

EHL1 I know what health resources are available on the Internet.

EHL2 I know where to find helpful health resources on the Internet.

EHL3 I know how to use the health information I find on the Internet to help me.

EHL4 I know how to find helpful health resources on the Internet.

EHL5 I have the skills I need to evaluate the health resources I find on the Internet.

EHL6 I know how to use the Internet to answer my questions about health.

EHL7 I can tell high quality health resources from low quality health resources on the Internet.

EHL8 I feel confident in using information from the Internet to make health decisions.

Attitudes Toward Using Digital Health Services

ATUDHS2 Using a digital health service to meet with my doctor would be better than traveling long distances to see my doctor.

ATUDHS3 Using a digital health service to meet with my doctor would be better than traveling during bad weather conditions to see my doctor.

ATUDHS5 I would use digital health service if it allowed me to significantly reduce the time, I spend traveling to other communities to see my doctor.

ATUDHS6 I would prefer an interview through digital health service with my own specialist over an in-person visit with another physician.

ATUDHS7 Having digital health services in my community would mean that I would miss fewer appointments.

ATUDHS8 I would feel comfortable having digital health service interview with my doctor.

Digital Health Service Use Intention

DHSUI1 I would use digital services for health problems.

DHSUI2 Taking health services over digital platforms is something I would do.

DHSUI3 I could see myself using digital health services.

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Özen, H., Yaşin, B. (2021). A Pathway to Sustainable Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Digital Health Services. In: Çalıyurt, K.T. (eds) New Approaches to CSR, Sustainability and Accountability, Volume II. Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, Governance & Fraud: Theory and Application. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6808-8_4

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