Cultural differences in technology acceptance of COPD patients: A crosscountry focus group study

Digital Health is supposed to compensate for the current challenges regarding lack of staff, increasing costs and ageing of the population. In order to optimise digital health countries should collaborate in the development and implementation of digital health. Unfortunately, nothing is currently known about cultural differences regarding technology acceptance, which is crucial for good understanding of crossborder healthcare. The aim of this study is to explore cultural differences in technology acceptance of COPD patients in four different European countries. We performed 8 focus groups in the Netherlands, the UK and Belgium in COPD patients (focus groups in Germany are planned for February). We used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology as a basis. Data was coded using thematic coding in ATLAS.ti and patients filled in a paper questionnaire with questions about demographics, COPD and technology experience. We included 41 patients (mean age 69 +/- 8 years, 46% male). Most patients considered the use of technology in healthcare unavoidable. UK patients remained very positive about the NHS, whereas Dutch patients were very critical their healthcare system. Belgians were most experienced (“I regularly access my online medical files.”). Dutch patients were least concerned with privacy (“We just assume that where our data goes, that the person on the other end of the line simply handles the data well”). In the UK and Belgium several patients mentioned laziness barrier for technology (“I just end up lazy because my granddaughter … she’s regulating this and that.”). One illiterate UK participant considered digital health positive because information can be provided through audio/video. The role of informal caregivers is essential for digital support. This study showed cultural differences. It is important to take these into account when developing and implementing crossborder digital health. The next step is to quantify these findings with questionnaires.