An Investigation of the Selection for Edentulous Treatment with Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

• Main Authors: Mei Kao, 高玫
• Other Authors: Seng-Su Tsang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/89013156535800683530

碩士 === 國立臺灣科技大學 === 企業管理系 === 104 === Demand for denture treatment is increasing with the advent of an aging society. For dentulous treatment, dentists tend to suggest the invasive type such as implant or dental bridge. Such a situation is often associated with a medical information asymmetry between dentists and patients. This study aimed to delineate the principal factors that may influence patients in choosing edentulous treatment when the gap of medical expertise between dentists and patients (the difference between invasive and non-invasive treatments is well explained) is narrowed. For subjects understanding of the three treatments – implant, dental bridge, and removable dentures by viewing a questionnaire video. Denture treatments in the video were classified into two types: invasive (implant and dental bridge) and non-invasive (removable dentures). Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) analysis with the addition of three exogenous variables – medical risk, expense, and appearance/convenience, we investigated how patients’ perception of the various edentulous treatments may influence their decision-making process and what factors are considered critical. The result shows that more than 60% respondents chose non-invasive over invasive treatments, implying that they are willing to try removable dentures first. From a patient’s view, medical risk is a key concerned factor, followed by appearance and convenience. Patients who care treatment costs tend to choose the non-invasive type, whereas who choose the invasive usually do not care about costs. Significantly positive correlation is found between the thoughts of the patients themselves (attitude) and the treatments. The treatment experiences or advices from the people who are important for patients (subjective norm) are significantly positive correlation with the decision made by those who choose the non-invasive treatment. Confidence level in a patient’s choice (perceived behavioral control) is notably negatively and positively correlated with the invasive and non-invasive treatments, respectively.