Abstract
BackgroundIdentifying effective means of communication between patients and their health care providers has a positive impact on patients’ satisfaction, adherence, and health-related outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the impact of patients’ age on their communication and technology preferences when managing their health. We hypothesize that a patient’s age affects their communication and technology preferences when interacting with clinicians and managing their health.MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted to identify the preferences of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Results were analyzed based on the patients’ age. Grounded theory was used to analyze the qualitative data. Patients were recruited based on age, gender, ethnicity, and zip code.ResultsA total of 104 patients were recruited: 34 young adults (19-39 years), 33 middle aged (40-64), and 37 senior citizens (>65). Young adults (mean 8.29, SD 1.66) reported higher computer self-efficacy than middle-aged participants (mean 5.56, SD 3.43; P<.05) and senior citizens (mean 47.55, SD 31.23; P<.05). Qualitative analysis identified the following three themes: (1) patient engagement (young adults favored mobile technologies and text messaging, middle-aged patients preferred phone calls, and senior citizens preferred direct interactions with the health care provider); (2) patient safety (young adults preferred electronic after-visit summaries [AVS] and medication reconciliation over the internet; middle-aged patients preferred paper-based or emailed AVS and medication reconciliation in person; senior citizens preferred paper-based summaries and in-person medication reconciliation); (3) technology (young adults preferred smartphones and middle-aged patients and senior citizens preferred tablets or PCs). Middle-aged patients were more concerned about computer security than any other group. A unique finding among senior citizens was the desire for caregivers to have access to their personal health record (PHR).ConclusionsPatients of different ages have different communication and technology preferences and different preferences with respect to how they would like information presented to them and how they wish to interact with their provider. The PHR is one approach to improving patient engagement, but nontechnological options need to be sustained to support all patients.
Highlights
BackgroundThe purpose of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (HIT) [1]
Responses are classified according to age groups: young adults: 19-39 years of age (34 participants), middle aged: ages 40-64 (33 participants), and senior citizens’ age >65 (37 participants)
Summary of Findings This study demonstrates the importance of the role that age plays in determining communication preferences and technology use, with age having a significant impact on patient preferences in clinical care
Summary
BackgroundThe purpose of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (HIT) [1]. Meaningful use is an endeavor initiated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT It involves the use of certified electronic health records (EHR) fundamentally to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care [2]. One of the meaningful use requirements is to engage patients and families in their health by offering secure, Web-based access to patients’ health information and provide tools that support electronic communication between patients and providers [3]. Identifying effective means of communication between patients and their health care providers has a positive impact on patients’ satisfaction, adherence, and health-related outcomes. The PHR is one approach to improving patient engagement, but nontechnological options need to be sustained to support all patients
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