Does Technophobia Deter The Use Of Medtech By Seniors?

By Chuck Seegert, Ph.D.

While many older adults may be interested in using web or mobile apps to manage their Type 2 diabetes, a recent study has revealed that it is relatively rare for them to do so. A lack of confidence with the technologies may be the primary reason, which leads to a lower intention to use the technology than younger patients.

Type 2 diabetes is an extremely prevalent disease with cases numbering in the millions. Out of the patients composing this population, some estimates state that up to half of them perform suboptimal management of their disease — a figure that could be improved through the use of assistive technologies. In general, it has been seen that patients using smartphone and web-based apps to manage their chronic disease have experienced positive changes in their health and follow the recommendations of their physician’s more closely.

Apps for diabetes management make glucose logs, dietary journals, and physical activity journals available in new and easy-to-use ways. Despite these advantages, however, only about 18 percent of elderly patients actually use internet apps — even though greater than 90 percent of that population has the technology available, according to a recent press release from the University of Waterloo. Additionally, of the elderly patients who do own smartphones, only 5 percent of them take advantage of apps for disease management.  

“There was a strong association between age and confidence—confidence about technology use really dropped off in the oldest age groups," said professor Peter Hall of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Waterloo in the press release. "This drop in confidence was mirrored by a corresponding drop in intentions to use the technology in the near future.” 

Patient attitudes and intentions toward adopting assistive technologies were the focus of a recent study published by the University of Waterloo team in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. The research included 44 patients with an average age of 58.7 years. Each of those patients was given an in-person survey to assess demographics, current diabetes management approaches, and attitudes about assistive technologies. Of the participants, about 65 percent felt that Internet apps for self-management of their disease were a good idea, while 53.5 percent felt smartphone apps were a good idea. Up to 96 percent of these respondents did not currently use an internet app, despite having Internet available.

After their evaluation and when they became aware that these types of assistive aids were available, about 77 percent of elderly patients thought they were likely to use them, according to the study. As many as 58 percent said they would likely consider using a mobile app. When younger people were surveyed, however, a significantly greater positive attitude toward app-based assistive technologies was found, along with greater intentions to incorporate them into their diabetes management.

Armed with these findings, the research team expressed a desire to find ways to encourage older adults to adopt these tools.