BACKGROUND
Information and communication technology (ICT) offer considerable potential for supporting older adults to manage their health, including chronic health conditions. However, there are mixed opinions about the benefits and effectiveness of using ICT in healthcare for older adults.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to (i) map the use of ICT for the management of chronic diseases in older adults, and (ii) identify barriers to, and challenges for, its use among older adults.
METHODS
A scoping review was conducted using four databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, and PsycInfo) to identify eligible articles from January 2000 to July 2020. Publications incorporating the use of ICT (e-health, mHealth, telehealth, decision support systems, remote monitoring, and mobile apps) in people aged >55 years with chronic conditions were included. We conducted a ‘strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)’ framework analysis to explore implied enablers of, and barriers to, using ICT in healthcare.
RESULTS
Of the 286 articles identified, 23 articles (n=4122 participants) met the inclusion criteria. A range of technologies were reported, including: electronic Health (n=5), mobile Health (n=6), telehealth (n=6); mobile applications (n=2), or mixed ICT platforms (n=4). The range of chronic conditions included congestive heart failure (n=9), diabetes (n=7), chronic respiratory disease (n=6), and mental health (n=5). ICT initiatives were all designed to help people self-manage chronic diseases with minimal support from healthcare providers or clinics. Among all the included studies, ICT demonstrated positive effects. Investigators highlighted operational and implementation challenges for integrating health ICT systems in routine practices. Barriers to using ICT in older adults included knowledge gap, lack of willingness to adopt new skills, and reluctance to use health technologies. ICT implementation-related challenges such as slow internet connectivity and lack of the appropriate reimbursement policy were reported. We also identified a list of enablers for using ICT, which could help design mitigation strategies.
CONCLUSIONS
ICT has the potential to support the care of chronic diseases among older adults, but its integration with routine healthcare is lacking. There is a need to improve awareness and education about ICT among those who could benefit from such initiatives, including older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers. For promoting ICT adoption, more sustainable funding is required. We recommend involving clinicians and caregivers at the time of designing ICT initiatives.
CLINICALTRIAL
Not applicable