JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Telehealth adoption has grown significantly, presenting valuable opportunities for the aging population to access healthcare remotely. Despite evidence of its benefits in managing chronic conditions and promoting independence, many older adults remain hesitant to adopt telehealth, preferring traditional in-person visits even post-pandemic. Current literature largely focuses on younger or general populations, overlooking the unique barriers faced by older adults, such as technology literacy and access disparities.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate how the use of wearable technology influences telehealth adoption among the aging population and explores the mediating effects of demographic factors, health conditions, and physical activity levels.

Methods:

Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6) was analyzed, focusing on individuals aged 65 and older. We construct regression and mediation analyses to understand the relationships between telehealth adoption and influential factors, including demographics, physical activity levels, health conditions, and the use of wearable technology.

Results:

We found that wearable technology use, while not directly significant, plays a critical role in adoption when mediated by factors such as education, income, and general health. Specifically, higher levels of education and income increased the likelihood of telehealth adoption, underscoring the importance of socioeconomic status. Additionally, rural versus urban residency emerged as a critical factor, with rural residents demonstrating lower adoption rates, highlighting the accessibility and technology literacy barriers in these areas. Health conditions were inversely associated with telehealth adoption, suggesting that healthier individuals may perceive less need for telehealth services. The findings underscore the role of socioeconomic factors in influencing the adoption of health technologies.

Conclusions:

Wearable technology promotes telehealth adoption among older adults, but its impact is largely mediated by socioeconomic factors and health status. Tailored strategies to address these barriers are essential to maximize the benefits of telehealth among aging populations.