Perceptions of Mobile Technology for Heart Failure Education and Self-Management Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Abstract

Mobile technology is a promising educational platform for chronic disease management. Patients with heart failure (HF) have high rates of hospitalization and complications. The goal of the current cross-sectional study was to determine if middle-aged and older adults were using or willing to use technology for HF education and self-management. A convenience sample of 37 patients with HF were recruited from an outpatient HF clinic. Participants were asked to complete a 23-item paper survey. Male participants comprised 59.5% of the sample and 54.1% of the sample reported being age ≥65. Most participants (60%) described using text messaging and Facebook®, 78.3% reported believing technology could help with HF management, and 70.3% of participants indicated willingness to use technology. Findings indicate that incorporating mobile technology into HF education and self-management is of interest to middle-aged and older adults. These findings have important implications for designing HF patient education programs. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(11), 30-38.].