Telemedicine interventions for older adults: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Telemedicine may help improve older adults' access, health outcomes, and quality of life indicators. This review aims to provide current evidence on the effectiveness of telemedicine in the aged population. Method A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases between January 2015 and September 2021 using the keywords “telemedicine” or “telehealth” and “older people” or “geriatrics” or “elderly.” The articles were classified under three headings according to the purposes: feasibility, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases, and patient satisfaction. Results A total of 22 articles were included. Across most disciplines, evidence has shown that telemedicine is as effective as usual care, if not more so, in the feasibility, chronic disease management, and patient satisfaction of the elderly. However, a few studies reported challenges such as difficulty with technology, hearing problems, and the inability to perform hands-on examinations for physicians. Conclusion Findings from this review support the view that health care providers can use telemedicine to manage elderly individuals in conjunction with usual health care. However, future research is needed to eliminate barriers to increasing telemedicine use among older adults.

Barriers to Telemedicine Video Visits for Older Adults in Independent Living Facilities: Mixed Methods Cross-sectional Needs Assessment

“…This is congruent with a national survey of older adults whose chief concern about telemedicine focused on limitations in physical exam and worries about decreased quality of care and connection to providers [ 27 ]. However, once older adults have successfully completed a telemedicine visit, they are more willing to continue using telemedicine as part of their care, especially to see providers with whom they have prior established in-person relationships [ 16 ]. As telemedicine becomes a greater staple in modern care delivery even beyond the pandemic [ 28 , 29 ], it is important to have clear messaging about the role of telemedicine in augmenting, not replacing, in-person care.…”

Digital health experiences reported in chronic disease management: An umbrella review of qualitative studies

“…Logistically, people with chronic conditions are concerned about the accuracy of entered data, and the possibility it could lead to incorrect interpretation from health professionals, as well as general difficulty using technology. 55 Some users feared that digital health services might jeopardise their interpersonal connections with their medical providers. This is a commonly reported worry of potential digital health consumers, 25 and health professionals, 56 yet we found many users actually expressed improved relationships with their healthcare team.…”

Description and Utilization of Telewound Monitoring Services in Primary Care Patients with Acute Wounds in Singapore: A Retrospective Study

“…30 Further, changing wound dressings at home requires patients to understand the nature of their wounds and to recognize when further follow up at the clinic is necessary. This may be a struggle for older adults because they tend to be frail, 31 face challenges such as difficulty using technology, have hearing problems, struggle with hands-on self-examinations, 32 or lack access to a caregiver to assist them with technology, 33 reducing the success of wound self-management.…”