Chen Yunhao, Yuan Jiajun, Shi Lili, Zhou Jiayun, Wang Hansong, Li Chengjin, Dong Enhong, Zhao Liebin
School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.
Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligence Pediatrics (SERCIP), Shanghai 200127, China.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jul 16;12(14):1421. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12141421.
The unprecedented rapid growth of digital health has brought new opportunities to the health field. However, elderly patients with chronic diseases, as an important potential beneficiary group, are affected by the digital divide, leading to unsatisfactory usage of digital health technologies (DHTs). Our study focused on the factors influencing the adoption of DHTs among this vulnerable group. To extend the UTAUT theory, technology anxiety and several demographic predictors were included to address the age characteristics of the respondents. An on-site survey was conducted in general, district, and community hospitals in Shanghai ( = 309). Facilitating conditions negatively influenced technology anxiety. Technology anxiety hindered behavioural intention. Social influence had a significant but negative impact on behavioural intention. Education, whether older adults have had experience with DHTs and previous smartphone usage experiences were significantly associated with technology anxiety. The findings provide valuable information for multiple stakeholders, including family members of elderly users, product designers, and policymakers. Ameliorating facilitating conditions, improving devices' usage experience, encouraging attempts and focusing on groups with lower educational levels can help to reduce technology anxiety and promote DHT acceptance and use in older age groups.
数字健康前所未有的快速发展给健康领域带来了新机遇。然而，患有慢性病的老年患者作为一个重要的潜在受益群体，受到数字鸿沟的影响，导致数字健康技术（DHTs）的使用情况不尽人意。我们的研究聚焦于影响这一弱势群体采用DHTs的因素。为扩展UTAUT理论，纳入了技术焦虑和若干人口统计学预测因素以应对受访者的年龄特征。在上海的综合医院、区级医院和社区医院开展了一项现场调查（n = 309）。便利条件对技术焦虑有负面影响。技术焦虑阻碍行为意向。社会影响对行为意向有显著但负面的影响。教育程度、老年人是否有过DHTs使用经历以及之前的智能手机使用经历与技术焦虑显著相关。研究结果为包括老年用户家庭成员、产品设计师和政策制定者在内的多个利益相关者提供了有价值的信息。改善便利条件、提升设备使用体验、鼓励尝试并关注教育程度较低的群体有助于降低技术焦虑，促进老年群体对DHTs的接受和使用。
