Acceptance of technology-based tools in a sample of Parkinson’s patients

Abstract

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative movement disorder in the United States. Patients' opinions of technology-based tools for education and communication as related to Parkinson's disease are unclear with little documented research addressing the issue. The goal of this research was to investigate patient opinions about technology-based tools with a focus on differences between patients of different age groups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to assess views on using multiple different electronic methods for receiving instructions and communicating with healthcare providers in 109 Parkinson's disease patients.Results: Approximately 28% (n ¼ 28) of the subjects reported having unmet needs related to Parkinson's disease. Those 65 and over were less likely to believe that using technology to communicate with the healthcare center would result in themselves having a better understanding of their care (odds ratio ¼ 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.95). Those over 75 had a lower odds of being willing to use electronic methods (odds ratio ¼ 0.33, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.79), a lower odds of believing that technology would result in better self-understanding of medical needs (odds ratio ¼ 0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.63) and a lower odds of believing that technology would result in their healthcare providers better understanding their needs (odds ratio ¼ 0.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.73). Discussion: The results of this study indicate that older Parkinson's disease patients report a less favorable view regarding the role of technology in communicating with healthcare providers and for understanding their care.

Acceptance and perception of digital health for managing nutrition in people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers and their digital competence in the United States: A mixed‐methods study

“…In a study completed by Duroseau et al, 55 nearly 65% of PwPD reported they were willing to use electronic methods and 48% believed using technology to communicate with providers would help them to better understand their care. 55 However, those 65 and over were less likely to believe using technology to communicate with a healthcare provider would enhance their understanding of care. 55 Duroseau et al 55 attributed this to the thought that older patients may not be as comfortable with using technology.…”

“…However, those 65 and over were less likely to believe using technology to communicate with a healthcare provider would enhance their understanding of care 55 . Duroseau et al 55 attributed this to the thought that older patients may not be as comfortable with using technology. This research, along with the current study, indicates training older PwPD may be warranted 58 .…”

“…Our findings suggest that training of the service should be provided prior to implementing an intervention. Experts suggest when designing digital health interventions specifically for PwPD, developers should consider both PwPD and caregiver views, needs and preferences 22,55 . These remote services can help increase access to nutrition information among PwPD and caregivers and have the potential to improve health‐related quality of life, disease and caregiver burden.…”

“…Technology use and frequency were assessed through questions adopted from previous literature (Appendices III and IV , Supporting information) surveys during the home visit (Appendix III , Supporting information). 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 Questions included the forms of technology participants used, how frequently, and 11 yes/no questions regarding if they used the internet for health‐related reasons in the past 12 months. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSSv26 (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL) and descriptive statistics were reported.…”

“…Acceptance of digital health was assessed through questionnaires examining technology and digital health use, combined with qualitative data. Technology use and frequency were assessed through questions adopted from previous literature (Appendices III and IV, Supporting information) surveys during the home visit (Appendix III, Supporting information) 51‐55 . Questions included the forms of technology participants used, how frequently, and 11 yes/no questions regarding if they used the internet for health‐related reasons in the past 12 months.…”