Understanding older adults' intention to use patient-accessible electronic health records: Based on the affordance lens

Abstract

BackgroundGiven the aging population and the rapid development of the digital society, concerns about promoting older adults' health skills are increasing. Patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) are implemented globally for aging health safeguards. The demand for using health-related information communication technologies (ICTs) among older adults and the factors that promote their usage intention of PAEHRs need to be studied.MethodsDrawing upon affordance theory, we constructed a research model that integrates four affordance types, aggregation, interactivity, collaboration, and communication, to identify the effects of affordances and attachment to platforms and doctors that contribute to older adults' usage intention on PAEHRs. Online survey data from 498 older adults (above 60 years) were collected and analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling.ResultsOur findings demonstrated how PAEHR's affordances facilitate older adults' attachment to platforms and doctors. We found that aggregation (γ = 0.417, P < 0.001) and interactivity (γ = 0.397, P < 0.001) can positively influence older adults' attachment to the PAEHR platform, and collaboration (γ = 0.407, P < 0.001) affordance can positively influence older adults' attachment to doctors on the PAEHR platform. Furthermore, seniors' attachment to the platform (γ = 0.598, P < 0.001) and attachment to the doctor (γ = 0.156, P < 0.01) can both positively influence their usage intention, and attachment to the platform had a positive relationship with attachment to doctors (γ = 0.230, P < 0.001) on the PAEHR.ConclusionThis study enriched the understanding of elders' attachment to doctors on PAEHRs and contributed to the literature on health-related ICT usage targets of older adults. Our findings also shed light on inspiring operators of health-related ICTs to formulate appropriate strategies for aging-friendly design to guide older adults to adopt health-related ICTs in their everyday health information practices.

Use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in Gerontology: Benefits, Considerations and a Promising Future

“…96,97 Among the solutions used, an online health record available to the patient and family has been introduced (it has been suggested that such a solution could become a useful tool for sharing health information), and patients have been monitored for the long-term impact of PAEHRs on their communication with health care professionals and engagement in the care process. 98 Nurgalieva et al analyzed patients' views on sharing their health data through PAEHRs and found that older patients and patients with lower levels of education were more likely to share their data. 99 Eriksson-Backa et al evaluated older adults' experiences of using the PAEHR portal and other electronic health services and found that improvements in security, usability, and additional 100 Another study found that patient-provider collaboration promotes the use of apps dedicated to older adults and empowers them to lead healthy lifestyles.…”