Abstract
The strain on health care services is increasing due to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions. eHealth could contribute to optimise effective and efficient care to older adults with one or more chronic health conditions in the general practice. The aim of this study was to identify the needs, barriers and facilitators amongst community-dwelling older adults (60+) suffering from one or more chronic health conditions, in using online eHealth applications to support general practice services. A qualitative study, using semi-structured followed by think-aloud interviews, was conducted in the Netherlands. The semi-structured interviews, supported by an interview guide were conducted and analysed thematically. The think-aloud method was used to collect data about the cognitive process while the participant was completing a task within online eHealth applications. Verbal analysis according to the Chi approach was conducted to analyse the think-aloud interviews. A total of n = 19 older adults with a mean age of 73 years participated. The ability to have immediate contact with the GP on important health issues was identified as an important need. Identified barriers were non-familiarity with the online eHealth applications and a mismatch of user health needs. The low computer experience resulted in non-familiarity with the online eHealth applications. Faltering applications resulted in participants refusing to participate in the use of online eHealth applications. Convenience, efficiency and the instant availability of eHealth via applications were identified as important facilitators. To improve the use and acceptability of eHealth applications amongst older adults in the general practice, the applications should be tailored to meet individual needs. More attention should be given to improving the user-friendliness of these applications and to the promotion of the benefits such as facilitating older adults independent living for longer.
Highlights
In 2019, the number of people aged 60 years and older was 1 billion (World Health Organization, 2019a)
Participants were recruited from Julius Leidsche Rijn Primary Health Centres (JHC), an academic primary care organisation with 5 general practices and 30 general practitioner (GP) in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands
Several online eHealth applications are being used by the health care professionals such as GP and practice nurses and patients
Summary
In 2019, the number of people aged 60 years and older was 1 billion (World Health Organization, 2019a). The need for health care services is increasing substantially due to the ageing population and the increasing prevalence of multimorbidity (Parker et al, 2014). The primary health care system is continuously being challenged to provide optimal and efficient care to older adults with multimorbidity, due to the substantial increase within this age group (Doekhie et al, 2014; Bähler et al, 2015). EHealth could contribute to optimise effective and efficient care to older adults with one or more chronic health conditions in the general practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the needs, barriers and facilitators amongst community-dwelling older adults (60þ) suffering from one or more chronic health conditions, in using online eHealth applications to support general practice services. Identified barriers were non-familiarity with the online eHealth applications and a mismatch of user health needs. More attention should be given to improving the user-friendliness of these applications and to the promotion of the benefits such as facilitating older adults independent living for longer
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