Discretionary use of family practice information systems: an empirical examination in Turkey

This study examined the antecedents and consequences of the discretionary use of the family practice information systems (FPIS) by family physicians in Turkey. A structured survey was conducted among family physicians located in Kahramanmaras, a southern province in Turkey. The partial least squares (PLS) method was used to analyse the survey data. Findings showed that (1) physicians' discretionary use of FPIS is positively related to their perceived value of patient care; (2) physicians' computer self-efficacy is positively related to their discretionary use of FPIS; (3) physicians' innovativeness in information technology (IT) is positively related to their computer self-efficacy; and (4) physicians' innovativeness in IT does not significantly impact on their discretionary use of FPIS. The present study's findings revealed that physicians should be adequately informed about the discretionary use of FPIS, and policies should be established to improve family physicians' understanding and competence of information systems, including computer self-efficacy.