Expectations of Middle-aged and Elderly Persons towards using Telecare Technologies and eHealth Applications in Primary Care

摘要

The aim of this study was to investigate general expectations of middle-aged and elderly persons towards using care technologies and eHealth applications in primary care. Participants were recruited at an event about health and exercise for elderly people. Persons aged fifty years or older and who were able to provide informed consent were eligible for inclusion. A cross-sectional mixed method approach was used; participants could choose whether they wanted to participate in this study by filling out a questionnaire or by participating in a short structured interview. Fifty-seven participants rated 22 items of a questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaire consisted of seven subscales: experiences with general technology, experiences with care technology, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, external cues to take action, attitude towards using and intention to use technologies in primary care. Furthermore, six interviews were conducted. The questionnaire revealed that participants had a positive attitude towards using technology in primary care and that their behavioral intention to use technology in primary care was high. In addition, the mean score of perceived benefits was higher than the mean score of perceived barriers. Timesaving, comfort and a higher degree of expected safety were the most frequently mentioned advantages in the structured interviews. The lack of personal contact and usability difficulties were the most frequently reported disadvantages of care technology. Based on the results it can be concluded that middle-aged and elderly persons have a positive view towards primary care technologies. However, the mentioned barriers should be taken into account during the implementation and development of technologies in primary care.