Post – i-remi

English

The adoption of digital health tools is increasingly recognized as central to patient empowerment, fostering autonomy, confidence, and informed decision-making. However, adoption is shaped by psychological and relational factors, including self-efficacy, health involvement, and physician authority. This study investigates adoption of digital health tools among patients managing chronic conditions, specifically cancer and diabetes, across four countries: France, Sweden, the UK, and the USA. A survey of 1,000 patients was conducted, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between patient attitudes, adoption, and empowerment. Results demonstrate that adoption significantly enhances empowerment, with patients who use digital health tools reporting greater confidence in managing their health. Furthermore, adoption serves as a central mediating mechanism: while health involvement indirectly contributes to empowerment, self-efficacy and physician authority play important roles in promoting adoption. These findings highlight the pathways through which digital tools can strengthen empowerment in chronic disease management.