Healthc Inform Res.  2021 Apr;27(2):137-145. 10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.137.

Mediating Effects of Smartphone Utilization between Attitude and Willingness to Use Home-Based Healthcare ICT among Older Adults

• Jo HS
• Hwang YS
• Dronina Y

• KMID: 2515916
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.137

Abstract

Objectives
This study explored the direct and indirect effects of knowledge of new technology (e.g., artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution), attitudes towards technology use, and smartphone utilization skills on older adults’ willingness to use home-based information and communication technology (ICT) for self-health management.
Methods
A phone survey was conducted among 300 older adults aged 65 or older in Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea. A path analysis was performed to identify the direct and indirect effects of knowledge of new technology, attitudes towards technology use, and smartphone utilization skills on willingness to use home-based healthcare ICT. Socioeconomic variables were used as control variables.
Results
Knowledge of new technology, but not attitudes towards technology use, had a direct impact on smartphone utilization skills. Attitude towards technology use and smartphone utilization skills showed significant effects on willingness to use home-based healthcare ICT. One standard unit change in attitudes towards technology use contributed to a 0.172 unit change in willingness (p = 0.001), and one standard unit change in smartphone utilization skills changed willingness by 0.246 units (p < 0.001). In addition, older adults with a higher education level and economic status, and lower self-related health status, were more willing to use home-based healthcare ICT.
Conclusions
These findings underscore the necessity of enhancing the smartphone utilization skills of older adults and attitudes towards technology use. Providing more user-friendly services and increasing smartphone utilization skills among older adults would contribute to willingness to use home-based ICT for healthcare management.

Keyword

Aging; Home Care Services; Information Technology; Internet of Things; Artificial Intelligence

Figure

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  Figure 1 Study framework. ICT: information and communication technology, NCD: non-communicable disease.

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  Figure 2 Evaluation of technology use for selected information and communication technology services.

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  Figure 3 Smartphone utilization skills for various services.

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  Figure 4 Path diagram of the effects of factors on willingness to use home-based healthcare information and communication technology (ICT).

Reference

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