The Influence of Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Subjective Norm on Computed Radiography Systems: A Pilot Study

2nd Place at The Denman Undergraduate Research Forum 20093rd Place at the Ohio Society of Radiologic Technologists Annual Poster Competition, 2009Perhaps some of the most important decisions made in managing a radiology department are those relating to equipment purchasing. The main goal of upgrading with new equipment or technology is to increase the effectiveness of the radiology department. Thus, implementing a new technology that does not fulfill expectations can yield dramatic consequences. Technology or equipment invested in a radiology department can only prove successful if it is properly utilized by the staff radiographers. This is why it is important to understand the underlying factors that contribute to the degree to which a technology is used. In radiology, the advances in technology are rapid, and the objective of this study is to identify if a relationship exists between a user’s perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and subjective norm on the user’s intention to operate this technology. The correlation of these variables were measured using a well established questionnaire relating to a newly implemented computed radiography system and the strength of correlations were calculated using the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation method. The survey was administered to a sample of 21 radiographers randomly selected from a health care facility utilizing a computed radiography system. Analysis of the collected data indicates that a statistically significant relationship exists between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness as well as perceived usefulness and intention to use the technology. A radiographer’s perceived ease of use of the computed radiography system influences his or her perceived usefulness of the technology; how useful he or she perceives the system to be in regard to their job also influences his or her intention to use the technology. The information that this study provides can prove to be a useful tool when making purchasing decisions if management whishes to delegate resources to measure the radiographers’ perceived thoughts about new equipment. While this is only a small pilot study, research on a larger scale could draw more promising results affecting the way that radiology departments make purchasing decisions. Further informed decisions could decrease the risk of poor technology choices.School of Allied Medical Professionals Research ScholarNo embarg