IAI-CGM: a framework for intention to adopt IoT-enabled continuous glucose monitors

Diabetes has been on the rise around the world, especially in Saudi Arabia, where the changing lifestyle is pushing the nation towards being more sedentary without cutting back on calorie consumption. It has become imperative for Saudi Arabia to provide self-empowerment opportunities for its citizens in order to monitor their blood glucose levels. An effective method for monitoring blood glucose levels is using Internet of Things Enabled Continuous Glucose Monitors (IoT-CGM), but there are concerns of adoption as it is heavily reliant on an emerging application of technology. This study proposes an adoption model for IoT-CGMs, which has been named Intention to Adopt IoT-enabled Continuous Glucose Monitors (IAI-CGM). The IAI-CGM is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and takes three factors into consideration; Practical, Technological, and User Behaviour. The model hypotheses the relationship between the constructs of each of the factors with adoption intention. The model is being developed for the Saudi Arabian population to lay the groundworks for future development. The method by which IAI-CGM framework has been developed is based on identifying the factors of adoption from the literature review. Particularly, TAM, and technology adoption intentions in Saudi Arabia have significant contribution to the development of IAI-CGM. It is expected that using this framework, the readiness for Saudi Arabian T1DM patients to adopt IoT-CGMs can be determined. The study is the first of its kind, and therefore has novel implications for the development of similar frameworks for wearable or attached health monitoring devices for other diseases, and for patients in other regions.