Exploring the barriers and facilitators which influence mHealth adoption among older adults: A literature review
Mathew Aranha BSc*, Kirstyn James MD MRCPI, Conor Deasy MB FACEM PhD, Ciara Heavin PhD
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AbstractBackground: The SARS-CoV-2 2019 pandemic highlighted the challenges of providing high-quality healthcare to older adults during a public health emergency. Mobile health (mHealth) quickly gained recognition as a cost-effective way to deliver healthcare and provide patients with tools to manage acute and chronic illnesses in their own homes. However, despite the increasing availability of this technology, some older adults may encounter barriers to accessing this type of care.
Objective: This review aims to explore the factors that influence the adoption of mHealth among older adults.
Method: A search of the existing literature was conducted using Scopus and PubMed which uncovered 3124 studies. After applying our inclusion criteria, 23 original studies were identified for review.
Results: Technology adoption by older adults is multifactorial with three overarching themes, these being: (1) dispositional barriers, (2) usability features of mobile devices, and (3) social influence. Dispositional barriers including low self-efficacy and mistrust of technology lead to anxiety surrounding mHealth uptake among older adults. Furthermore, age-related physical and cognitive impairment may also impede the use of mHealth. Older adults who overcome these barriers rely on social support from family and healthcare providers to recognise mHealth as a potential health-optimization tool. Involving older adults in the designing process is recommended to anticipate and overcome the obstacles to mHealth adoption that are unique to this group.
Conclusion: Research into technology adoption has elucidated various targets for initiatives and areas of research to improve mHealth adoption. Future research should include experimental models with older adults to look at interventions that enable regular and ongoing use of mHealth. Seeking input from end-users will ensure that modifications in healthcare delivery do not inadvertently disadvantage the same populations they are intended to serve.Keywords: mHealth, mobile health, older adults, technology adoption
Mathew Aranha BSc*, Kirstyn James MD MRCPI, Conor Deasy MB FACEM PhD, Ciara Heavin PhD (2021). Exploring the barriers and facilitators which influence mHealth adoption among older adults: A literature review. Gerontechnology, 20(2), 1-16
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2021.20.2.424.06