JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Introduction: there is an ongoing decline narrative of ageing that portrays older people as a burden on the social and economic aspect of society. However, increased longevity in good health will allow older adults to contribute meaningfully in society and maximise their wellbeing. This urge for a paradigm shift towards healthy and successful ageing can be potentially facilitated by the growing digital technology use on the mainstream (day-to-day activities) and assisted living (health and social care). Despite the rising digital engagement trend, digital inequality between the age groups persist.

Objective:

The aim of this scoping review are to: a) identify the extent and breadth of existing literature of older people perspective on digital engagement; and b) summarize the barriers and facilitators for technological non-use, initial adoption and sustained digital technology engagement.

Methods:

this review will be based on the Arksey and O’Maley (2005) framework for scoping reviews. The 6-stage framework includes: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, summarizing and reporting the results and consultation exercise. Published literature will be searched on primary electronic databases such as Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Web of sciences, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHIL and ScienceDirect. Common grey literature sources will complement the database search on the topic. Two-level (title/abstract and full article) screening will be conducted to obtain eligible studies for final inclusion. Standardized data extraction will be used to extract variables such as a profile of the study population, technologies under investigation and stage of digital engagement, the barriers and facilitators. These studies will be analysed using quantitative (i.e. frequency analysis) and qualitative (content) analysis approach, suitable for comparing and evaluating literature to provide an evaluation of the current state of the art on the older person digital engagement. Inclusion criteria: inclusion will be based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), participant, concept and context (PCC) approach. Articles on the older person (65 years and above), on digital technology engagement and from global context will be included in our review. Methodologically majority of the articles will be from qualitatively conducted studies.

Results:

of this review are expected in April 2021.

Conclusions:

The findings from this review will identify the extent and nature of empirical evidence on how older people digitally engage and their associated barriers and facilitators.