Age Differences in the Use of Health Information Technology Among Adults in the United States: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey

Onyeaka, Henry; Romero, Perla; Healy, Brian C.; Celano, Christopher M.

doi:10.1177/0898264320966266

Cited by 41 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This spanned from daily use to no use at all. The majority of the informants used ICT on a daily basis, which was in alignment with former studies [ 15 , 21 , 32 ] as well as with data from Statistics Denmark, showing that 51% of the 65-74 year olds and 26% of the 75-89 year olds use the internet on a daily basis [ 20 ]. Several informants had experiences with health-related ICT use.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Older Patients’ Competence, Preferences, and Attitudes Toward Digital Technology Use: Explorative Study

Terp¹,

Kayser²,

Lindhardt³

2021

JMIR Hum Factors

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Background Malnutrition is prevalent in older patients, which is associated with severe consequences such as a decline in functional status, increased risk of readmission, and increased mortality. A tablet-based eHealth solution (Food‘n’Go) was recently developed and introduced at our clinic to support older patients’ involvement in nutritional interventions during their hospitalization, thereby enhancing their awareness and motivation for choosing the right food to obtain sufficient calorie and protein intake. To reap the full benefits from the eHealth solution, the technology should be introduced and accompanied by support that targets the end users’ competence level and needs. Objective In this study, we aimed to explore older patients’ readiness (ie, competence, preferences, and attitudes) toward the use of information and communication technology (ICT), and to identify the factors that may act as barriers or facilitators for their engagement with health technology. Methods A descriptive and explorative study was performed using triangulation of data derived from semistructured interviews and questionnaires (based on the Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology [READHY] instrument). Older hospitalized patients (age ≥65 years; N=25) were included from two hospitals in Denmark. Results The majority (16/25, 64%) of the older patients (median age 81 years) were users of ICT. The qualitative findings revealed that their experiences of benefits related to the use of ICT facilitated usage. Barriers for use of ICT were health-related challenges, limited digital literacy, and low self-efficacy related to ICT use due to age-related prejudices by their relatives and themselves. The qualitative findings were also reflected in the low median scores on the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ) READHY scales within dimensions addressing the user’s knowledge and skills (eHLQ1:1.8; eHLQ3: 2.0), and the user experience (eHLQ6: 2.0; eHLQ7: 1.5). Conclusions Older patients are potential users of ICT, but experience a variety of barriers for using eHealth. When introducing older patients to eHealth, it is important to emphasize the possible benefits, and to offer support targeting their knowledge, skills, and motivation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Older Patients’ Competence, Preferences, and Attitudes Toward Digital Technology Use: Explorative Study

Terp¹,

Kayser²,

Lindhardt³

2021

JMIR Hum Factors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Our study participants may not be representative of older adults generally as the study only includes people who opted into a digital MSK program. First, a previous study of a nationally representative sample of older adults found that older adults are less likely to use health information technology vs. younger adults (35). In contrast, our study suggests that older adults who do choose to use a digital MSK program are even more engaged than younger adults.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 58%

Older Adult Use and Outcomes in a Digital Musculoskeletal (MSK) Program, by Generation

Wang

Bailey

Yang

et al. 2021

Front. Digit. Health

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Objective: We investigated use and clinical outcomes in a digital musculoskeletal (MSK) program, by generation.Method: This longitudinal study uses retrospective data collected online or by app. The study included adults with 12 or more weeks of pain who took part in a digital MSK program. We compared Gen Z and Millennials, Gen X, working age Baby Boomers, and retiree age Baby Boomer and Silent Generation. Program use outcomes were program start, program completion, and number of exercises, educational articles, and messages to coaches. Clinical outcomes were changes in pain, depression, and anxiety from baseline to 12 weeks. We calculated descriptive statistics and conducted adjusted regression models.Results: Odds of starting the program were significantly higher for Gen Xers (OR: 1.12) and working age Baby Boomers (OR: 1.37) vs. Gen Zers and Millennials. Compared to Gen Zers and Millennials, we observed significantly higher odds of program completion among Gen Xers (OR: 1.62), working age Baby Boomers (OR: 2.24), and retirees (OR: 2.36). Compared to Gen Zers and Millennials, retirees had 19 more exercise sessions (IRR: 1.69), accessed 11 more articles (IRR: 1.84), and sent 4 more messages to coaches (IRR: 1.26). Compared to Gen Z and Millennials, we observed no significant differences in change in pain for Gen Xers, working age Baby Boomers, or retirees.Conclusions: Adults from multiple generations took part in a digital MSK program. Findings suggest that older generations used a digital MSK program more than younger generations, but had similar pain outcomes.

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“…Among cancer survivors, not having a college degree, older age and low‐income were associated with less chance of using DHT. Despite the lag in using new technologies among older adults, the technology landscape is a rapidly changing field—this trend is likely to shift over time, as this demographic group increasingly adopts digital devices for managing their health conditions 36,37 . Additionally, socioeconomic status (SES), a metric for patients' capacity to access appropriate medical care, is associated with cancer outcomes—lower SES is associated with poor outcomes across several cancer diagnoses 38,39 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the lag in using new technologies among older adults, the technology landscape is a rapidly changing field-this trend is likely to shift over time, as this demographic group increasingly adopts digital devices for managing their health conditions. 36,37 Additionally, socioeconomic status (SES), a metric for patients' capacity to access appropriate medical care, is associated with cancer outcomes-lower SES is associated with poor outcomes across several cancer diagnoses. 38,39 More recently, a cross-sectional nationwide study revealed that although DHT usage has increased over the last decade in the United States, substantial socioeconomic disparities still exist in DHT usage, which could potentially exacerbate health disparities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of digital health tools for health promotion in cancer survivors

et al. 2021

Self Cite

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Objective Although digital health tools (DHTs) are a promising alternative and effective strategy to deliver cancer care and support, their role in health promotion among cancer survivors remains relatively unexplored. We aimed to investigate the acceptability and impact of DHT for health promotion in cancer survivors. Methods Data was pooled from cycle three of the fifth edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey. Logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate differences between cancer survivors and the general population regarding ownership, usage, and perceived usefulness of DHT for health management. Regression models were used to identify sociodemographic predictors of DHT usage among cancer survivors. Results Overall, cancer survivors were as likely as the general population to own and use DHT (e.g., health apps, wearable devices) for their care and they were likely to find these tools beneficial in tracking their health and communicating with healthcare providers. Cancer survivors who had health applications installed on their mobile device were more likely to meet national recommendations for diet (fruit and vegetable consumption) and strength training than those without health apps. Age, income, and education level were significant sociodemographic predictors of DHT ownership and usage. Conclusion Cancer survivors own and use DHT at similarly high rates to the general population, highlighting the potential for utilizing DHT to expand access and continuity of care in the growing and vulnerable oncology population. With increasing use of DHT in healthcare, future research that targets digital access disparities in cancer survivors from low SES is essential.

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Age Differences in the Use of Health Information Technology Among Adults in the United States: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey

Cited by 41 publications

References 37 publications

Older Patients’ Competence, Preferences, and Attitudes Toward Digital Technology Use: Explorative Study

Older Patients’ Competence, Preferences, and Attitudes Toward Digital Technology Use: Explorative Study

Older Adult Use and Outcomes in a Digital Musculoskeletal (MSK) Program, by Generation

Use of digital health tools for health promotion in cancer survivors

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