Telehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations With Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in rapid telehealth/telemedicine adoption. In this study, we (1) examined rates and correlates of telehealth (video call) use among those aged 70+, and (2) tested the significance of access to information and communication technology (ICT) device ownership and knowledge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2022-03, Vol.41 (3), p.600-609
Main Authors: Choi, Namkee G., DiNitto, Diana M., Marti, C. Nathan, Choi, Bryan Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adoption of innovations
Aged
Aging
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 Research
Health disparities
Health services
Humans
Internet access
Low income groups
Medical technology
Older people
Ownership
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Sociodemographics
Technology
Telemedicine
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Summary:The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in rapid telehealth/telemedicine adoption. In this study, we (1) examined rates and correlates of telehealth (video call) use among those aged 70+, and (2) tested the significance of access to information and communication technology (ICT) device ownership and knowledge of how to use the internet and devices as telehealth-enabling factors. The Behavioral Model of Health Services Use served as the conceptual framework, and data came from the COVID-19 supplemental survey of the National Health and Aging Trend Study. Results show that telehealth use increased to 21.1% from 4.6% pre-pandemic. In logistic regression models without technology-enabling factors, older age and lower income were negatively associated with telehealth use; however, when technology-enabling factors were included, they were significant while age and income were no longer significant. Insuring that older adults have ICT devices and internet access may reduce health disparities and improve telehealth care delivery.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/07334648211047347