Exploring Perceptions and Factors Influencing the Adoption of Telehealth in Speech-Language Pathology: Adapting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

Date of Award

4-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

First Advisor

Rob Lyerla, Ph.D., MGIS.

Second Advisor

Kieran Fogarty, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Abby Cameron-Standerford, Ed.D.

Fourth Advisor

Ashley Shayter, Ph.D.

Keywords

Speech-language pathology, telehealth acceptance, telehealth adoption

Abstract

The increase in telehealth use in the field of speech-language pathology represents a significant shift. While its initial use may have been driven by necessity, the experience of using telehealth has the potential to reveal the benefits and barriers impacting acceptance and integration. Despite the scope of past research on telehealth across various domains, there is a noticeable gap in theoretically based studies focusing on the speech-language pathologists' intention to use telehealth to provide speech-language pathology services.

The primary aim of this dissertation is to explore the factors that influence the intention to use telehealth among speech-language pathologists by applying a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework was expanded to investigate how attitudes towards building therapeutic alliances and digital health care literacy of individuals with communication disorders influence speech-language pathologists' intention to use telehealth. This study implemented a convergent mixed methodology design, with 183 speech-language pathologists completing the quantitative surveys and 25 engaging in qualitative semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed to determine differences between user groups and the predictors of the intention to use telehealth to provide speech-language pathology services. Thematic analysis was employed to explore how the quantitative results converge with the participants' experiences. The integrated results are presented for comparison.

The results of the convergent mixed methodology employed in this dissertation facilitate a comprehensive exploration of intent to use telehealth among speech-language pathologists by applying a theoretical framework. The differences in speech-language pathology telehealth user groups were explored, revealing significant differences between telehealth users and non-users. Telehealth non-users had lower performance expectations and perceived telehealth as more effortful. In comparison, telehealth users reported higher performance expectations and found telehealth easier to use, impacting their intention to continue usage. Furthermore, findings suggest that the theoretical constructs related to the anticipated benefit of telehealth and the perceived ease of use are strong predictors of the speech-language pathologists' intent to use telehealth.

Integrating quantitative analyses and qualitative insights into the experiences and perceptions of speech-language pathologists offers a holistic perspective that benefits both research and practice in the field. Providing a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes related to using telehealth has the potential to lead to improved outcomes for individuals with communication disorders.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Abstract Only

Restricted to Campus until

4-1-2034

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