Holistic framework for the adoption determinants of mobile health applications: a systematic literature review

Purpose The purpose of this study is to review the literature on the adoption determinants of mobile health (M-health) applications for health behavior change following a systematic methodology. Design/methodology/approach This review systematically identified 134 peer-reviewed studies out of 10,687 from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) published between 2010 and 2021. This review used a thematic analysis to produce the main themes conceptualizing a holistic framework of the investigated M-health application adoption factors. Findings Despite the exploration of multifaceted adoption determinants and behaviors, the current publications exhibit limitations. The studies not only show a lack of representation of multiple health behaviors and medical conditions but also fail to involve data from low- and middle-developing countries, where M-health application utilization is crucial. Findings revealed that there is a considerable absence of a solid theoretical foundation that unveils a gap in interpreting the adoption factors effectively. Understanding cultural and demographic variances and exploring financial factors and healthcare provider involvement is essential for tailoring M-health application interventions. Continuous assessment of technological factors and evaluation of the actual impact of M-health application usage on behavioral changes and health outcomes will further enhance the effectiveness and adoption of these technologies. Originality/value This review is one of the first comprehensive reviews of determinants of M-health application adoption targeting health behavior change for the general public and patients.