Applying the technology acceptance model to predict digital therapeutics use in South Korea: The roles of digital literacy, online information trust, and privacy concern.

Objective: As digital therapeutics (DTx) continue to expand globally, understanding user-related factors that influence adoption is critical. This study investigates how digital literacy, trust in online information, and privacy concerns shape individuals' intentions to use digital therapeutics, drawing on the technology acceptance model (TAM). Methods: An online survey was conducted in South Korea, targeting adult participants aged 20 to 69. A total of 600 responses were analyzed. Digital literacy, online information trust, privacy concern, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and DTx use intention were measured using previously validated multi-item Likert scales. Relationships among the variables were analyzed using path analysis and bootstrapping. Results: Digital literacy (β = 0.13, p < .01) and online information trust (β = 0.10, p < .01) positively influenced DTx use intention. Digital literacy also predicted higher privacy concern (β =  0.31, p < .01), which in turn positively affected perceived usefulness (β = 0.22, p < .001). Perceived usefulness (β = 0.48, p < .001) and ease of use (β = 0.23, p < .001) significantly predicted use intention. The model explained 56.4% of the variance in DTx use intention (R² = .564). Conclusion: The findings highlight the complex interplay among digital literacy, trust, and privacy in influencing DTx adoption. Emphasis on user-centered design, strong privacy protection, and digital literacy education will be essential for fostering broader acceptance of digital therapeutics.