Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jan 23, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 29, 2023
Exploring the perspectives and experiences of older adults with asthma and COPD towards mHealth: a qualitative study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The use of mHealth in asthma and COPD is growing, and as the population ages, a greater number of older adults stand to benefit from mHealth-enhanced airways disease care. However, older age is a known barrier to health technology adoption, and there is a lack of knowledge on how older age influences mHealth use in asthma and COPD.
Objective:
In this qualitatively study, we sought to explore the experiences and perspectives of adults 65 years and older with asthma and COPD of mHealth use.
Methods:
Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with adults 65 years and older with asthma and/or COPD who owned a smartphone. Applying phenomenological methodology, we analyzed interview transcripts in order to develop themes and propose an essential experience of mHealth use among older adults with airways disease.
Results:
Twenty participants (mean age 79.8 years) were interviewed. Participants described a central tension between 1) the perception that mHealth could help maintain independence throughout aging, and 2) an apprehension towards the ways in which mHealth could negatively affect established healthcare experiences. Several elements of these two themes are absent from previous research focusing on younger adults with asthma and COPD.
Conclusions:
Focusing on the perspectives and experiences of older adults with asthma and COPD in their use of mHealth identified novel understandings of health technology use in this important demographic in need of greater care. These lessons may impact future airways mHealth development and implementation efforts. Clinical Trial: n/a
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