Changes in Older Adult’s Attitudes and Use of Health Information and Communication Technology from 2019 to 2022

Objectives
It is crucial that people have access to quality information about their health and about healthy behaviour. Health information is increasingly being disseminated digitally, which creates a requirement for people to adapt to the information environment and take new technologies in use. The Prague Declaration describes the ability to make effective use of the information environment to enhance one’s knowledge throughout life as a basic human right of lifelong learning. To be able to benefit from digital health information demands that people possess the informational and technological competence which is required to take advantage of the digital information environment (Bol, et al., 2016). Older adults have been found to adopt new information and communication technology (ICT) at a slower rate than those who are younger (Anderson and Perrin, 2017; Statistics [country], 2014; Vorrink, et al., 2017). However, although they lag behind those who are younger there has been a substantial growth in older people’s use of digital sources. This includes the use of the internet, as well as mobile technology such as smartphones and tablet computers (Anderson and Perrin, 2017; Statistics [country], 2014; Loos and Ivan, 2022), and the same goes for the use of social media (Faverio, 2022). Thus, to examine the adoption of health ICT by older people in more detail, it was decided to focus specifically people aged 56 years and older and examine changes in their attitudes to and use of health ICT in the period 2019 to 2022.

Methodology
Quantitative methods were used and data for the studies were gathered by surveys. Random samples from the National Register of Persons in [country] were used. In 2019 the total sample size was 1.500 people, response rate was 39%, and in 2022 the sample size was 1,200 people, response rate was 45%. Because of the response rates, the data for both surveys were weighed by gender, age, place of residence and education, so that it corresponded with the distribution in the population. Reference figures for age, gender and place of residence were obtained from the National Registry of [country] and for level of education from Statistics [country]. The focus of the paper is only on people that are 56 years or older only. In 2019 the number of participants in that age group was 173 and in 2022 it was 214. In addition, the emphasis was on questions that measure the use of health information and communication technology and their perceived possibilities of doing so, and attitudes towards it. The measurements consisted of two sets of questions: 1. Frequency of the use of health ICT was examined by two questions about the participants use of the system “Heilsuvera”: a) to communicate with doctors or to get information about their health, for example to book appointments, view drug prescriptions, or send messages to their doctor; b) to seek information about healthy lifestyle, such as nutrition or exercise. A five-point response scale was used (Very often – Never). 2. Possibilities of taking new health ICT in use was examined by two questions in the form of statements. The first asked if the participants found it difficult to begin to use new technology; and the second, how easy it was for them to get help at using technology when they were in need for it. A five-point response scale was used (Strongly agree – Strongly disagree). The analysis of the data is descriptive. All analysis is based on weighed data. Survey results from 2019 and 2022 will be compared.

Outcomes
The purpose of addressing this is to understand better how older adults can benefit from development in information and communication technology and enhance their abilities to adopting healthier lifestyles through health information. An improved awareness of the issue may help to identify their needs for support at using health information and communication technology and increase the efficiency of providing them with digital health information.

Ágústa Pálsdóttir
University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland

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