Abstract
Older adults with a chronic health condition (e.g., hypertension) use various self-management methods. Healthcare technologies have the potential to support health self-management. However, it is necessary to understand the acceptance of these technologies as a precursor to older adults' adoption and integration into their health plan. Our focus was on the factors older adults with hypertension initially consider when introduced to three new healthcare technologies that might support their health self-management. We compared their considerations for a blood pressure monitor, an electronic pillbox, and a multifunction robot to simulate incrementally more complex technologies. Twenty-three participants (aged 65-84) completed four questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The interview transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. We identified the factors that were frequently mentioned among the participants for each of the three healthcare technologies. The factors that older adults initially considered were familiarity, perceived benefits, perceived ease of use, perceived need for oneself, relative advantage, complexity, and perceived need for others. Upon further reflection, participants considered advice acceptance, compatibility, convenience, facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, privacy, subjective norm, and trust. We integrated the factors that older adults considered into the Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM), which elucidates the complexity of healthcare technology acceptance and provides guidance for future explorations.
Highlights
Imagine Mrs S, who is 85 years old, has hypertension, and her doctor has recommended that she manage her health by using a technology that can support her health self-management
Initial considerations Our first general research objective was to understand, ‘What are older adults’ initial considerations about new healthcare technologies?’ and ‘Do their considerations change depending on the complexity of the technology?’ We addressed this through the thematic analysis of the participants’ initial responses during the interview; they received the descriptions of each of the technologies
We developed a conceptual model, the Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM; see Figure 2; for more details, see Harris, 2019), to illustrate the factors that older adults considered when introduced to healthcare technologies
Summary
Imagine Mrs S, who is 85 years old, has hypertension, and her doctor has recommended that she manage her health by using a technology that can support her health self-management. What will influence her willingness to accept or not accept this new healthcare technology? Mrs S forms a behavioural intention that is likely influenced by numerous factors. MT Harris and WA Rogers decide to obtain more information Knowing what she considers can provide insights for introducing new technologies into the lives of older adults. Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C2 Internal Chance Doctors Other people
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