Information technology consumerization in primary healthcare delivery: antecedents, fit-viability and perceived empowerment

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the effect and perceived empowerment of privately-owned consumer-oriented technologies on the performance of primary healthcare workers in a developing economy. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, stratified random sampling was used to identify and recruit primary healthcare workers. Structured questionnaires were administered and the data was analyzed with Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: Primary healthcare professionals find meaningful, fitting, and are confident when using personally owned consumer technologies for job tasks as they are consistent with their expectations of perceived impact. However, impact does not influence performance of primary healthcare workers relative to the overall outcomes of their departments or institutions. Conclusion: Healthcare managers should develop strategies and policies to ensure that staff feel empowered in their use of personally-owned consumer technologies used for professional tasks.