Attitude Matters ─ But whose? Physicians’ Decision-Making in Digital Therapeutics Prescription

Creators: Jechle, Deinera and Finze, Nikola and Gewald, Heiko
Title: Attitude Matters ─ But whose? Physicians’ Decision-Making in Digital Therapeutics Prescription
Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
Event Title: (Proceedings of the) 34th European Conference of Information Systems (ECIS)
Event Location: Milan, Italy
Event Dates: June, 15-17, 2026
Projects: IDI
Journal or Series Title: European Conference of Information Systems
Date: June 2026
Divisions: Informationsmanagement
Abstract (ENG): Despite the growing availability of clinically validated digital therapeutics (DTx), their prescription rates remain low. Physicians act as essential gatekeepers in ensuring patients’ access to these innovations, yet little is known about how they decide whether or to whom to prescribe DTx. This study explores the factors shaping physicians’ decisions to prescribe DTx. Drawing on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 German physicians. We identify three dimensions that influence prescription intentions: subjective norms, physicians’ attitudes toward DTx, and a newly uncovered construct, ‘perceived patient attitude’, which reflects physicians’ assessments of patients’ expected self-efficacy, adherence, and adoption. Our findings extend TRA by integrating perceived patient attitude as a moderating factor, emphasizing physicians’ gatekeeping role in DTx prescription. The study contributes to theory by expanding behavioral models in healthcare contexts and to practice by informing strategies that enhance physician engagement and patient readiness for DTx.
Forthcoming: Yes
Main areas or research: Health
Language: English
Uncontrolled Keywords: Digital Therapeutics, Physician Adoption, Theory of Reasoned Action, Qualitative Research, Digital Health
Citation:

Jechle, Deinera and Finze, Nikola and Gewald, Heiko (2026) Attitude Matters ─ But whose? Physicians’ Decision-Making in Digital Therapeutics Prescription. In: (Proceedings of the) 34th European Conference of Information Systems (ECIS), June, 15-17, 2026, Milan, Italy.

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