JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Avoiding technological innovation does not make life easier; indeed, the use of Internet-based medical services (IBMS) can improve the quality of life for the elderly. In the social context of aging and the increasing integration of information technology, willingness to use and need for IBMS among the elderly are receiving increased attention from the academic community.

Objective:

This study sought (a) to explore the effects of intergenerational support and online medical information on older adults’ willingness to use IBMS and (b) to discuss the mediating role of technology perception and trust, as well as the moderating role of e-health literacy (eHL).

Methods:

A total of 958 valid questionnaire surveys were collected during March 2024, and the research hypotheses and mediating effects were tested using structural equation modeling.

Results:

The findings suggest that the higher the level of intergenerational support, the greater the willingness of older adults to use IBMS (β = 0.354, p < .001), in which eHL has a moderating role (β = 0.124，P＜.001). Intergenerational support also has a significant positive indirect influence on willingness to use IBMS through the mediating role of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and trust. Online medical information also positively affects older adults’ intention to use IBMS (β = 0.109, p < .001).

Conclusions:

An integrated model of health communication effects was constructed and validated: intergenerational support–technology perception–trust–intention to use IBMS. This model provides empirical support for the willingness to adopt IBMS and health communication effects in the Chinese context, as well as helping to promote technology-enabled healthcare for the elderly to contribute to the digital power of healthy living for the elderly.