Table 1.
Conceptual constructs and key measures
| Construct | Contextual interpretation and measures |
| Performance expectancy (PE) | Expected performance gains that can be achieved by using DDI alerts; main measures include: (1) overall perceived usefulness, (2) appropriateness of specificity, sensitivity, and severity (determinants of alerts' accuracy, relevance, and importance), (3) associated benefits such as incidental learning (ie, increased knowledge about ADE as a result of reading and responding to computerized alerts),* (4) appropriateness of the volume of alerting (a key factor contributing to ‘distrust’ and consequently decreased perceived value), and (5) utility in reducing professional risks.* |
| Effort expectancy (EE) | Expected time and effort associated with use of DDI alerts; main measures include: (1) perceived ease of use, (2) clarity of information content, (3) extra time required, (4) effort incurred when the same alerts need to be addressed repeatedly,* and (5) workflow integration. |
| Social influence (SI) | Perceived behavioral influence received from others; main measures include: (1) reflected appraisal (to meet supervisors' expectations), (2) peer comparison (to imitate colleagues' behavior in order to be compliant with workspace norm), and (3) perceived impact on professional image.† |
| Facilitating conditions (FC) | Perceived facilitating (or impeding) conditions; main measures include: (1) adequacy of training, (2) adequacy of clinical knowledge for interpreting and acting upon the alerts presented, (3) provision of reasoning and reference information, (4) provision of suggestions for management alternatives, and (5) availability of assistance when problems occur. |
| Perceived fatigue (PF) | Perceived alert fatigue principally caused by receiving an excessive number of alerts. |
| Perceived use behavior (UB) | Perceived actual use of DDI alerts; main measures include frequency of: (1) reviewing the alerts presented, (2) providing reasons for accepting or rejecting, and (3) taking actions accordingly by revising the initial prescribing decisions. |
*
Not originally included in UTAUT or van der Sijs et al's model but added later based on literature review results (see the Questionnaire development section).
†
Professional image differs from professional risks assessed in PE, in that professional image solely reflects one's perception of how one's performance and professionalism may be judged by others (patients or clinician peers), whereas professional risks are associated with foreseeable legal and financial consequences.
ADE, adverse drug events; DDI, drug–drug interaction; UTAUT, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.