Factors influencing physicians’ intention to share Electronic Medical Records: An empirical investigation in China

Wansong Zheng, Arul Chib, Ping Gao, Kanliang Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Influenced by shocks such as SARS in 2003, and a growing rural-urban divide, the Chinese government turned to modern information and communication technologies in an attempt to create a healthcare information system (HIS). HIS was aimed at integrating medical data across the complex healthcare infrastructure and sharing of electronic medical records (EMR). However, there are technological, organisational and socio-psychological influences on individuals’ attitudes towards knowledge sharing. Using social capital theory (SCT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study investigates socio-psychological factors influencing doctors’ intention to share EMR in China. A random survey of 270 physicians across 20 hospitals in Xi’an, Beijing and Shanghai found that the relational (reciprocity) and structural (social trust) dimensions of social capital had an indirect positive influence upon the intention to share EMR, mediated by attitudes toward EMR sharing. These results were similar to the SCT cognitive dimension (loss of knowledge power) influence upon the intention to share EMR. The TPB variables of subjective norms, attitude towards sharing EMR, and perceived behavioural control had a positive relationship with intention to share EMR. Policy implications for health infrastructure are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14-21
Number of pages8
JournalMedia Asia
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Global Development Institute

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