Use and Usability of Health related E-services among the Senior Citizens

Abstract

Abstract Services provided by governmental and the health sectors in Sweden are increasingly being digitalized. This includes use of information technology (IT) to search healthcare information, electronic booking for consultation and other health-related services. The use of health services is growing among the senior citizens and it is therefore important to investigate how electronic (e-health services) are used and how they are suited to the senior citizens. The objective of the study was to review the health related e-services and identify those that are for the elderly population. The study was divided into three phases. First a literature review was undertaken followed by a questionnaire in the second phase. Finally qualitative observations with focus on usability were carried out in the third phase. An overview of the available health related e-services is reported and those that are used by the senior citizens were identified. The result showed a large and growing use of health related e-services by internet savvy senior citizens. An increased and more varied use of the available services could be achieved with a targeted marketing. The investigated health related e-services were perceived as relatively user-friendly, nevertheless senior citizens and the patients in general would benefit from an enhancement and continuous review of the usability of the provided e-services.