Digital Health Adoption in Laboratory Services in Libya: Patient and Staff Perspectives Using an Extended UTAUT Framework

Introduction: Laboratory digitalisation is seen as a way to reduce delays and improve communication with patients. However, digital access to laboratory results in Libya remains limited and uneven. This study examines adoption of digital tools in laboratory services from both the patient and staff perspectives, using an extended UTAUT framework that incorporates trust, cost, literacy, culture and infrastructure stability.

Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Surveys were distributed to patients (both those who had and had not received results digitally) and to 174 laboratory staff across public and private laboratories. Quantitative responses were summarised descriptively, and free-text responses were analysed thematically.

Results: Only around one in four patients had received results digitally, although most reported access to smartphones or the internet. Patients valued faster access and fewer return visits, but expressed concerns about privacy, cost of data and misinterpreting results without clinical explanation. Staff reported partial digitisation, often using locally developed or “off the shelf” systems with poor integration. Power outages, unstable connectivity, limited training and unclear responsibility for releasing results to patients were common barriers.

Conclusion: By linking patient expectations with staff capacity, and by extending UTAUT to include context-specific factors, this study shows that adoption is constrained less by willingness than by reliability, support and governance. Improving power stability, standardising software and protecting confidentiality are essential for safe, patient-centred digital result delivery in Libya.