Researchers from the Centre for Social Informatics published an article in the journal DIGITAL HEALTH
Researchers from the Centre for Social Informatics at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Simona Hvalič-Touzery, PhD, Jerneja Laznik and Andraž Petrovčič, PhD, have published an original scientific article titled »“I’m still struggling with it, and it scares me”: A qualitative analysis of older adults’ experiences with digital health portals during and after COVID-19« in the journal DIGITAL HEALTH.
Between September and December 2022, the authors conducted 11 focus groups with people aged 65 and over who are internet (non-)users. A total of 77 older people took part in the focus groups, which explored older adults’ perspectives on digital health platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and examined their strategies for coping with the general challenges of the digitalization of health. A hybrid thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data. Three key themes emerged from the focus group sessions, which highlight digital inequalities that impact access to digital health platforms and their services: the challenges of digitalized health services, coping with these challenges, and the outcomes of health service digitalization. The “digital health paradox” is evident, in which opportunities are provided for some while access is limited for those unwilling or unable to use digital health platforms. Proxy users, often family or friends, help bridge this gap. The authors conclude by noting that ensuring the availability and viability of traditional health service access is crucial for empowering older adults to choose between digital health platforms and alternatives. Recognizing the importance of traditional approaches is vital, and healthcare providers and policymakers should prioritize inclusivity to ensure a diverse and equitable healthcare system for older adults and vulnerable populations.
The study was conducted as part of the research projects J5-4578 (Digital transformation of health and social care: Welfare technology acceptance and knowledge among current and future healthcare and social care professionals), P5-0399 (Internet research) and J5-2558 (The Implications of Proxy Internet Use for the Internet Skills of Older Adults), funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, and project V5-2275 (Digital inequalities and older adults in Slovenia: An evaluation of the measures implemented under the Digital Inclusion Promotion Act), funded by Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency and Ministry of Digital Transformation.