The Nature and Role of Perceived Threats in User Resistance to Healthcare Information Technology

The efforts of the United States government in past 15 years have included harnessing power health information technology (HIT) to improve legibility, lessen medical errors, keep costs low, and elevate quality healthcare. However, user resistance is still a barrier overcome order achieve desired outcomes. Understanding nature key successfully increasing adoption HIT systems. Previous research has showed that perceived threats are significant antecedent resistance; however, its role remained vastly unexplored. This study uses psychological reactance theory explain both HIT-user resistance. shows helplessness over process dissatisfaction outcomes two unique instances threats. Additionally, results reveal healthcare systems can manifest as reactance, distrust, scrutiny, or inertia. theoretical practical implications findings discussed.