Digital engagement preferences of individuals aged 65 and older with cancer.

Abstract

289 Background: Recent reviews suggest that digital solutions play a prominent role in the context of geriatric oncology. While interventions ranging from remote monitoring to nutrition and physical activity support have demonstrated feasibility in older adults (aged 65 and older), little is known about facilitators and barriers to eHealth uptake in older adults diagnosed with cancer. Insights into the digital engagement preferences of older adults with cancer may help to inform which platforms may be best aligned to optimal engagement and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine patient engagement preferences (phone, text and/or email) among older adults with cancer enrolled in a digital health coaching program. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences in patient engagement preferences by race. Results: Of 513 individuals, the majority (n = 308; 60%) preferred information be provided by phone, email and text, while 20% (n = 105) requested content by phone and text only. Less than 10% of the sample requested content via phone only (n = 45; 8%), phone and email, (n = 31; 6%), email only (n = 11, 2%), or by email and text (n = 9; 2%). Interestingly, adults aged 65 and older had a significant predisposition to phone only communication (8.77%) compared to 2.25% in the general oncology population (p < 0.001). Among adults aged 65 and older with a phone preference, there were on average 8.39 calls over the course of the program with an average of 9.51 minutes per call over the course of 12-weeks. For those with text message preference, there were an average of 14.17 outbound and 8.30 inbound texts over the 12-week engagement, and for those with email preference a 62.38% open rate was observed. Retention over a three month coaching period was highest among those engaged via phone, text and email (56.17%), and email only (54.55%). Race was significantly related to engagement preference, with black members twice as likely (p < 0.001) to choose phone and text, and three times as likely (p < 0.001) to choose phone only compared with white members. However, no differences emerged between race and retention. Conclusions: Engagement preference was associated with differences in retention and race. Our results highlight the importance of offering different mechanisms for patient engagement and the need for attention to specific demographic differences such as race, which may impact access to and preference for engagement types when employing digital health solutions for older adults with cancer.