Influence of Generational Cohorts on the Preferences for Information and Communication Technologies in Latin American Patients with Obstructive Lung Diseases

Abstract

Background. Advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) represent a growing platform for the expansion of healthcare related services, but there is little information on how generational differences might account for distinct patterns of use and interest for ICTs. Our study aims to achieve a better understanding on how generational cohorts might influence the use and preferences for ICTs among patients with obstructive lung diseases in Latin America. Materials and Methods. We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey-based study, involving 968 patients with obstructive lung diseases (OLD) in Latin America. Patients rated their frequency of use and preferences of ICTs through a modified version of the Michigan Questionnaire. Chi-square test for association and adjusted regression analyses were performed. Results. Of all, 63.6% of participants had Internet access. Younger generations, in particular Generation Z and Millennials, had the highest rate of Internet access and smartphone ownership, as well as of overall frequency of ICT use. Web-based Internet was found to be the main source to seek information about the disease (36.9%) across all generational cohorts. Generation Z and Millennials presented the highest odds to be interested in using Twitter (OR 31.79 and 8.86) for receiving health-related information, and email (OR 4.87 and 4.86) as the preferred way to ask physicians information related to their disease through ICTs. Conclusion. Generational cohorts influence the use and preferences for ICTs among patients with obstructive lung diseases. Younger generational cohorts were associated with higher access to the Internet and smartphone ownership, as well as higher interest for using ICTs to receive and ask for health-related information.

Generational Differences toward Organic Food Behavior: Insights from Five Generational Cohorts

“…While multigenerational cohort studies or cross-generational studies have been detected in different areas of academic research, most of the studies focus on generational differences in the workplace [59][60][61]. Yet, other academic fields also encompass cross-generational differences, such as the travel and tourism industry [62][63][64][65]; the health, mental, cognition, or psychology sector examining related issues [66][67][68]; the service sector [69][70][71]; and studies in education [72,73]. Moreover, cross-generational differences were studied in retailing regarding products in the non-food sector [74][75][76][77], in technology adoption or purchase [78,79], as well as politics [80].…”

How are patients with chronic urticaria interested in using information and communication technologies to guide their healthcare? A UCARE study

“…Similar results have been reported where younger generations had the highest overall ICT usage compared to older cohorts. 17 …”

“… 12 , 15 Previous studies found WhatsApp, e-mail, and SMS to be the most popular forms of electronic communication for receiving and seeking information as well as communicating with physicians among patients with chronic diseases . 16 , 17 …”

Fostering Resilience: Understanding Generational Differences in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Social Media Use

“…Nevertheless, different demographic factors, such as age/generation, gender, income, and educational level, still affect individuals' adoption and use of ICT, including social media. Among different demographic variables, generation has attracted some scholarly attention (e.g., Bailey & Ngwenyama, 2010;Cherrez-Ojeda et al, 2020;Metallo & Agrifoglio, 2015;Padayachee, 2018;Prensky, 2001;van Volkom et al, 2013) in different disciplines, such as communication, information, generational studies, and marketing. Based on the intergenerational communication perspective, technology use can either benefit or create barriers for intergenerational interactions (Bailey & Ngwenyama, 2010).…”