Challenges for Technology Adoption Towards Primary Geriatrics Services

Abstract

Background: The telemedicine-based approach facilitates remote health and social care for maintaining autonomy, thereby improving quality of life for geriatric patients with associated morbidities. Thus, the present study focusses on various challenges encountered during the use of technology-based model for geriatric care in urban as well as rural settings. Materials and Methods: The present operational research-based study was conducted on 2531 elderly individuals from rural and urban settings. The HUB and spoke model have been developed using cloud-based teleconsulting as well as mobile-based teleconsulting approaches which were setup up in rural and urban areas in India and Sweden for teleconsulting of elderly population. The rural and urban elderly population were screened using the telemedicine-based model. Feedbacks were taken from elderly subjects in both rural and urban settings to assess various challenges encountered during the use of technology-based model for geriatric care Results: Of 2531 elderly individuals, 701 (27.7%) individuals belonged to the urban population, while 1830 (72.3%) individuals belonged to the rural population who were examined with the help of model developed using telemedicine technology. Majority of persons screened were in the age group of 60–69 years with mean age 69.7 ± 7.90 years. Some of the challenges faced implementation of this tele-geriatrics model includes non-availability of accurate patient history, limitations over clinical examination, etc. have been highlighted working upon which would further improve this model. Conclusion: This teleconsultation-based model developed through this study provides practical evidence for its use in treating elderly population and associated challenges thereby improving their quality of life.