JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With the increasing number of older adults in the world, the health care services search for new ways to organize their services. Digital health services are promising and may reduce the services’ workload, and at the same time improve the patients’ well-being. Strong e-health literacy is needed to be able to use digital health services. Yet, the knowledge of technology readiness among this target group is poorly known.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to understand the technology readiness level in a group of older adults provided home care services, to be able to address the present and future needs in relation to provision of digitally assisted health care services.

Methods:

Quantitative cross-sectional study with 149 older adults from Norway receiving home care services. The participants completed the READHY instrument, as well as assessments of well-being and other demographic and clinical variables.

Results:

The mean age was 78.6 (SD 8.0) years, and 83 (55.7%) were woman. There was good consistency within the assumed READHY scales (Cronbach’s alpha 0.61-0.91). The participants were clustered into four profiles, which differed in terms of READHY scores, demographic variables, and the use of information technology (IT) in their daily life.

Conclusions:

The technology readiness level in a cohort of Norwegian participants receiving home care was sufficient to expect the participants to use digital health services. The demographic differences between the four profiles may inform stakeholders which older persons that most likely need most training and support if they should be able to take the advantage of digitally enabling health care services.