JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cancer is likely to remain the top killer in developed countries with a greying population. Interestingly, no review of attitudes towards telemedicine amongst the elderly population has been performed. This is likely be the group most affected by cancer and the increasing advocacy of technology in healthcare.

Objective:

This narrative review was conducted to systematically map the research done on attitudes towards telemedicine among elderly cancer patients.

Methods:

Five databases were systematically searched from inception to September 2020. Articles were included if the study population had a mean/median age ≥65 years, with a cancer diagnosis, and assessed patients’ attitudes towards a telemedicine intervention. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies were included. Attitude was defined as satisfaction or acceptance/preference.

Results:

Out of a total of 887 articles that were identified, 26 were included in the review. Types of telemedicine intervention studied included the use of telephone, videoconferencing, online web portal, mobile app, wearable technology and text messaging. Satisfaction rate appears to be consistently high across most studies and different forms of telemedicine intervention in the elderly. Overall acceptability of technology as an alternative to traditional modes of health care was much lower than satisfaction rates across the studies reviewed.

Conclusions:

The high-level satisfaction of the availability of the telemedicine did not translate to higher acceptability. Healthcare administrators need to be cognizant of this difference. Traditional physical consultation with their healthcare providers should still be provided. Future in-depth studies are necessary to determine if interventions could potentially address the identified barriers to increase acceptability.