The attitudes, expectations and needs of elderly people in relation to e-health applications: results from a European survey.

Abstract

We have carried out a survey of elderly people in Europe relating to e-health and telemedicine issues. Telephone-based interview techniques were used in 13 countries and face-to-face interviews were used in Ireland and Portugal, where there are significant numbers of houses without telephones. Altogether 9661 interviews were performed. Most respondents (65%) lived in rural areas or small towns; the remainder lived in suburban areas or large towns. Virtually all respondents (98%) had access to a television set. About 30% received cable television and 13% had access to digital television. Almost half (48%) had access to mobile phones (with 42% actually using them), 36% had access to PCs (with 27% being active users) and 22% had access to the Internet (with 17% being active users). The respondents showed interest in various e-health applications, although this declined considerably with age. The survey showed that the older people get, the more they depend on medical and social care, and the more they tend to live alone, without a family member to look after them. Policy measures relating to infrastructure as well as training, education and awareness activities will be required to avoid a medical divide between those senior citizens who have access to advanced medical advice and services and those who do not.