ABSTRACT
PurposeThis research aims to analyse the variables related to the purchase intention of COVID-19 rapid tests in Monterrey, Mexico's metropolitan area.Design/methodology/approach The chosen method was probit regression. The results show that purchase intention depends on the consumer's perceived value and the perception of having a potential contagion and/or presenting symptoms related to the virus. Regarding limitations, the sampling method used in this investigation is a nonprobabilistic convenience approach delivered through a digital platform, which may not be the first option in other contexts.FindingsThe findings indicate that the probability of the purchase intention of rapid COVID tests increases when consumers perceive symptoms of the disease and when they have higher education or are female rather than concerning price or income, as suggested by classical demand theory.Research limitations/implicationsProbabilistic sampling was impossible due to the difficulty of collecting surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, a nonprobabilistic sample of a representative random selection of different zip codes from the responses received was considered.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is its contribution to consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Latin American context.
ABSTRACT
New digital technologies offer great potential to fundamentally transform the way of delivering healthcare in the coming decades. Digital health encompasses nearly all areas in the healthcare system and is becoming increasingly more important, not only due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In the future not only known processes should be digitalized but also new digital measures should aim at promoting a participation of the patient and actively incorporating the patient into the diagnosis and treatment processes. In the future smart devices and direct to consumer technologies give the “e-patients” easier access to their own health data, which have previously only been stored in data silos and were only communicated in a restricted manner. Advances in sensor technology and so-called wearables enable not only continuous monitoring and a contribution to these patient-centered healthcare data but also enable new diagnostic procedures and treatment outside the hospital. Hence, digitalization provides many approaches for an efficient and economical healthcare and prevention.