Conceptualizing User Choice as Motivational Factor in Ad-Hoc Tumor Board Scheduling Applications

We address the theory-driven design of ad-hoc tumor board scheduling applications for improving cancer therapy by developing and testing a theoretical model of the relationship between user choice, autonomy gain, and voluntary use. Physicians’ motivation and voluntary use are crucial for the success of these applications. Current theory holds that user choice is instrumental in fostering perceived autonomy and creates intrinsic motivation to use systems. We argue that this effect has boundaries particularly relevant to the hospital context: Under high social and cognitive demands, frequently found in cancer therapy, user choice and resulting autonomy have less motivational effects. Results of a sequential mixed methods study with students and experienced physicians support our research model. This study adds to theory on the motivational effects of user choice by identifying an important boundary condition of extant theory, namely social cognitive constraints, and provides direct design implications for ad-hoc tumor boards scheduling applications.