Patient distrust toward doctors in online health communities: integrating distrust construct model and social-technical systems theory

Jiaxin Xue, Zhaohua Deng, Tailai Wu, Zhuo Chen

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to explore the factors influencing patients' distrust toward doctors in online health community. Design/methodology/approach: This study leveraged the distrust construct model and socio-technical systems theory to establish a research model. The authors used the survey method to validate the research model by developing and distributing questionnaires to online health community users. 518 valid responses were collected. Findings: The data analysis results showed that patients' distrusting beliefs were significantly related to their distrust toward doctors in online health communities. Meanwhile, social factors included perceived egoism and lack of expertise; whereas technical factors included no structural assurance, and lack of third-party recognition. Originality/value: This study not only provides a solid and comprehensive theoretical understanding of patient distrust toward doctors in online health communities but also could serve as the basis to relieve the distrust between patients and doctors in online health communities, or even in the offline environment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1414-1438
Number of pages25
JournalInformation Technology and People
Volume36
Issue number4
Early online date5 Jul 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished Online - 5 Jul 2022

Keywords

  • Distrust construct model
  • Distrusting beliefs
  • Online health community
  • Patient distrust
  • Social-technical systems theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Library and Information Sciences

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