Factors affecting the use of computerised information systems in community health

Discussions of computer systems effectiveness or system success frequently focus on questions of which factors provide better system usage. As there are many factors that affect computer system usage, measuring the influence of the factors is necessary. The purpose of the current study was to gain a further understanding of some factors that affect the use of computerised information systems. Most studies have been in business and few studies have been conducted in the health sector and specifically in Community Health. The study measured the role of extemal variables on computer attitude, subjective norms and intention to use computers based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). These extemal factors included: demographic characteristics, users' characteristics (computer experience), organisational support, and involvement. After a thorough search of the literature the researcher found valid and reliable scales for measuring the above variables, except for measuring computer experience. Thus, the first objective of the study was to develop a valid and reliable scale for measuring computer experience.