Objectives This study propose an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to bridge the gap between technical feasibility and human-centric adoption by incorporating external variables such as regulatory compliance (RC), training and technical support (TTS), peer influence (PEI), information literacy (IL), and technology/digital literacy (TDL) to investigate the factors driving users’ intention to adopt metaverse telehealth services (MVTHS) in the Chinese healthcare context. Methods The study uses a cross-sectional survey-based quantitative research design to validate an extended TAM model. Valid data from 739 respondents were collected across China using an online research questionnaire between October 1 and December 31, 2024. Smart PLS Structural Equation Modeling was employed to test the proposed model. Results The results indicate that RC and PEI significantly influence perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and individual attitudes (ATT) toward the use of MVTHS. TTS demonstrated a significant positive influence on both PU and PEOU but did not influence ATT. While PU positively influenced ATT, PEOU did not significantly affect ATT toward adopting MVTHS. IL significantly influences metaverse telehealth adoption intention (MVTHAI) and moderates the relationship between PU and ATT, as well as between ATT and MVTHAI. Similarly, TDL significantly influences both ATT and MVTHAI. TDL also significantly moderates the relationship between PEOU and ATT, and between ATT and MVTHAI. Conclusion A clear regulatory framework is essential for healthcare providers and policymakers to leverage PEI through social channels to encourage users’ ATT to adopt MVTHS. While TTS improves PU and PEOU, PEOU does not directly shape ATT—suggesting that resources should be strategically allocated to RC, IL, and TDL to engage users to adopt MVTHS.
Mensah et al. (Sun,) studied this question.