Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review

Abstract Background Limited attention has been paid to how and why older adults choose to engage with technology-facilitated health care (e-health), and the factors that impact on this. This scoping review sought to address this gap. Methods Databases were searched for papers reporting on the use of...

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Main Authors: Jessica Wilson, Milena Heinsch, David Betts, Debbie Booth, Frances Kay-Lambkin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11623-w
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spelling doaj-1e27eb988aba4526971150c3d42cfd082021-08-22T11:16:50ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582021-08-0121111210.1186/s12889-021-11623-wBarriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping reviewJessica Wilson0Milena Heinsch1David Betts2Debbie Booth3Frances Kay-Lambkin4Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleCentre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleSchool of Humanities and Social Science, University of NewcastleUniversity Library, University of NewcastleCentre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleAbstract Background Limited attention has been paid to how and why older adults choose to engage with technology-facilitated health care (e-health), and the factors that impact on this. This scoping review sought to address this gap. Methods Databases were searched for papers reporting on the use of e-health services by older adults, defined as being aged 60 years or older, with specific reference to barriers and facilitators to e-health use. Result 14 papers were included and synthesised into five thematic categories and related subthemes. Results are discussed with reference to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology2. The most prevalent barriers to e-health engagement were a lack of self-efficacy, knowledge, support, functionality, and information provision about the benefits of e-health for older adults. Key facilitators were active engagement of the target end users in the design and delivery of e-health programs, support for overcoming concerns privacy and enhancing self-efficacy in the use of technology, and integration of e-health programs across health services to accommodate the multi-morbidity with which older adults typically present. Conclusion E-health offers a potential solution to overcome the barriers faced by older adults to access timely, effective, and acceptable health care for physical and mental health. However, unless the barriers and facilitators identified in this review are addressed, this potential will not be realised.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11623-wMobile healthE-mental healthAcceptanceEngagementMultimorbidity
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Jessica Wilson
Milena Heinsch
David Betts
Debbie Booth
Frances Kay-Lambkin
spellingShingle Jessica Wilson
Milena Heinsch
David Betts
Debbie Booth
Frances Kay-Lambkin
Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
BMC Public Health
Mobile health
E-mental health
Acceptance
Engagement
Multimorbidity
author_facet Jessica Wilson
Milena Heinsch
David Betts
Debbie Booth
Frances Kay-Lambkin
author_sort Jessica Wilson
title Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
title_short Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
title_full Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
title_fullStr Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
title_sort barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review
publisher BMC
series BMC Public Health
issn 1471-2458
publishDate 2021-08-01
description Abstract Background Limited attention has been paid to how and why older adults choose to engage with technology-facilitated health care (e-health), and the factors that impact on this. This scoping review sought to address this gap. Methods Databases were searched for papers reporting on the use of e-health services by older adults, defined as being aged 60 years or older, with specific reference to barriers and facilitators to e-health use. Result 14 papers were included and synthesised into five thematic categories and related subthemes. Results are discussed with reference to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology2. The most prevalent barriers to e-health engagement were a lack of self-efficacy, knowledge, support, functionality, and information provision about the benefits of e-health for older adults. Key facilitators were active engagement of the target end users in the design and delivery of e-health programs, support for overcoming concerns privacy and enhancing self-efficacy in the use of technology, and integration of e-health programs across health services to accommodate the multi-morbidity with which older adults typically present. Conclusion E-health offers a potential solution to overcome the barriers faced by older adults to access timely, effective, and acceptable health care for physical and mental health. However, unless the barriers and facilitators identified in this review are addressed, this potential will not be realised.
topic Mobile health
E-mental health
Acceptance
Engagement
Multimorbidity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11623-w
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