scholarly journals Measurement of Digital Literacy Among Older Adults: Systematic Review

10.2196/26145 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e26145
Author(s):  
Sarah Soyeon Oh ◽  
Kyoung-A Kim ◽  
Minsu Kim ◽  
Jaeuk Oh ◽  
Sang Hui Chu ◽  
...  

Background Numerous instruments are designed to measure digital literacy among the general population. However, few studies have assessed the use and appropriateness of these measurements for older populations. Objective This systematic review aims to identify and critically appraise studies assessing digital literacy among older adults and to evaluate how digital literacy instruments used in existing studies address the elements of age-appropriate digital literacy using the European Commission’s Digital Competence (DigComp) Framework. Methods Electronic databases were searched for studies using validated instruments to assess digital literacy among older adults. The quality of all included studies was evaluated using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). Instruments were assessed according to their ability to incorporate the competence areas of digital literacy as defined by the DigComp Framework: (1) information and data literacy, (2) communication and collaboration, (3) digital content creation, (4) safety, and (5) problem-solving ability, or attitudes toward information and communication technology use. Results Searches yielded 1561 studies, of which 27 studies (17 cross-sectional, 2 before and after, 2 randomized controlled trials, 1 longitudinal, and 1 mixed methods) were included in the final analysis. Studies were conducted in the United States (18/27), Germany (3/27), China (1/27), Italy (1/27), Sweden (1/27), Canada (1/27), Iran (1/27), and Bangladesh (1/27). Studies mostly defined older adults as aged ≥50 years (10/27) or ≥60 years (8/27). Overall, the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was the most frequently used instrument measuring digital literacy among older adults (16/27, 59%). Scores on the CCAT ranged from 34 (34/40, 85%) to 40 (40/40, 100%). Most instruments measured 1 or 2 of the DigComp Framework’s elements, but the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ) measured all 5 elements, including “digital content creation” and “safety.” Conclusions The current digital literacy assessment instruments targeting older adults have both strengths and weaknesses, relative to their study design, administration method, and ease of use. Certain instrument modalities like the MDPQ are more generalizable and inclusive and thus, favorable for measuring the digital literacy of older adults. More studies focusing on the suitability of such instruments for older populations are warranted, especially for areas like “digital content creation” and “safety” that currently lack assessment. Evidence-based discussions regarding the implications of digitalization for the treatment of older adults and how health care professionals may benefit from this phenomenon are encouraged.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Soyeon Oh ◽  
Kyoung-A Kim ◽  
Minsu Kim ◽  
Jaeuk Oh ◽  
Sang Hui Chu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Numerous instruments are designed to measure digital literacy among the general population. However, few studies have assessed the use and appropriateness of these measurements for older populations. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to identify and critically appraise studies assessing digital literacy among older adults and to evaluate how digital literacy instruments used in existing studies address the elements of age-appropriate digital literacy using the European Commission’s Digital Competence (DigComp) Framework. METHODS Electronic databases were searched for studies using validated instruments to assess digital literacy among older adults. The quality of all included studies was evaluated using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). Instruments were assessed according to their ability to incorporate the competence areas of digital literacy as defined by the DigComp Framework: (1) information and data literacy, (2) communication and collaboration, (3) digital content creation, (4) safety, and (5) problem-solving ability, or attitudes toward information and communication technology use. RESULTS Searches yielded 1561 studies, of which 27 studies (17 cross-sectional, 2 before and after, 2 randomized controlled trials, 1 longitudinal, and 1 mixed methods) were included in the final analysis. Studies were conducted in the United States (18/27), Germany (3/27), China (1/27), Italy (1/27), Sweden (1/27), Canada (1/27), Iran (1/27), and Bangladesh (1/27). Studies mostly defined older adults as aged ≥50 years (10/27) or ≥60 years (8/27). Overall, the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was the most frequently used instrument measuring digital literacy among older adults (16/27, 59%). Scores on the CCAT ranged from 34 (34/40, 85%) to 40 (40/40, 100%). Most instruments measured 1 or 2 of the DigComp Framework’s elements, but the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ) measured all 5 elements, including “digital content creation” and “safety.” CONCLUSIONS The current digital literacy assessment instruments targeting older adults have both strengths and weaknesses, relative to their study design, administration method, and ease of use. Certain instrument modalities like the MDPQ are more generalizable and inclusive and thus, favorable for measuring the digital literacy of older adults. More studies focusing on the suitability of such instruments for older populations are warranted, especially for areas like “digital content creation” and “safety” that currently lack assessment. Evidence-based discussions regarding the implications of digitalization for the treatment of older adults and how health care professionals may benefit from this phenomenon are encouraged.


2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (8) ◽  
pp. e13-e21 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Burnes ◽  
Charles R. Henderson ◽  
Christine Sheppard ◽  
Rebecca Zhao ◽  
Karl Pillemer ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Blocker ◽  
Kathleen C. Insel ◽  
Jeannie K. Lee ◽  
Qiong Nie ◽  
Abidemi Ajuwon ◽  
...  

Hypertension is the most common chronic disease affecting older adults (65+) in the United States. Unfortunately, many struggle to adhere to their antihypertensive medications as only about half diagnosed with the disease have it controlled. Therefore, there is a need for designing supportive medication management systems to aid this population with their antihypertensive medications, especially using increasingly adopted technologies such as smartphones. The preferences of older adults with hypertension must be considered when designing such systems for this population. Six older adults participated in structured interviews to inform the design of the Medication Education, Decision Support, Reminding and Monitoring System (MEDSReM). Results revealed management needs, design insights, and reminder preferences, as well as mostly positive opinions regarding technology use for medication management. These findings informed the development of MEDSReM with the goal of supporting older adults in successfully managing their antihypertensive medications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 746-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Senkowski ◽  
Clara Gannon ◽  
Paul Branscum

Physical activity interventions among older adults vary widely in the techniques used to elicit behavior change. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine what behavior change techniques (BCTs) are used in interventions to increase physical activity among older adults using the theory of planned behavior and to make suggestions for BCTs that appear to be more effective. A database search identified peer-reviewed articles documenting interventions based on the theory of planned behavior. Seven articles (three randomized controlled trial, three quasi-experimental, and onen-of-1) from four countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands) were included for review. Researchers independently coded BCTs using a hierarchical taxonomy of 93 BCTs. The most frequently coded BCTs includedGoal Setting(n = 5 studies),Action Planning(n = 5 studies), andCredible Source(n = 5 studies). Of the 93 BCTs in the taxonomy, only 26 were used, indicating potential opportunities to implement and evaluate less commonly used techniques in future studies.


Author(s):  
Ruiz-Montero ◽  
Chiva-Bartoll ◽  
Salvador-García ◽  
Martín-Moya

Service-Learning (SL) has become a teaching methodology that promotes social and personal skills while helping groups in need and at risk of social exclusion. This paper is a systematic review of the literature on SL experiences and research on college subjects in the area of health-care promotion in settings for older adults. After an exhaustive search, 43 peer-reviewed publications were classified according to frequency and geographical distribution, sample and duration of the programs, research methodologies, data collection instruments used, and main outcomes investigated. The results indicate that the research methodologies used tended to be qualitative and mixed, while the variety of samples and duration of interventions was very broad. The instruments used were mainly interviews and questionnaires, and the programs were developed specially in the United States of America. The groups receiving most SL were healthy older adults and older adult populations with aging disabilities and illnesses. The articles in the present review highlight that SL can have a positive effect on older adults’ health promotion and can enhance their community participation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S194-S194
Author(s):  
Shelia Cotten ◽  
Shelia R Cotten ◽  
Travis Kadylak

Abstract Older adults are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to communicate with social ties, gather information to make decisions, and for entertainment purposes. Research is increasingly showing that using ICTs has a range of potential benefits for older adults. However, less research examines the potential negative outcomes of ICT use for older adults. Data from a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States is used to examine positive and negative outcomes of ICT use. Traditional well-being and social connection outcomes are examined as well as new stressors associated with mobile phone use. Our findings suggest that ICT use has varying effects on older adults, depending upon the type, level, and purposes of use. Implications are discussed for entities seeking to encourage ICT use to enhance health and quality of life among older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 296 ◽  
pp. 08016
Author(s):  
Evgeniia Dragunova ◽  
Anna Sokolova

The article describes the transformation of higher education during and after the pandemic. Digital Education is examined as one of the ways that can ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals. Not only positive features of digital education but also obstacles on the way to its development and implementation are considered. It’s determined how much the scientific community is interested in the subject of digital education. There has been analyzed the sentiment of blogosphere visitors who create and discuss the content related to the topic of digital education. The analysis identifies that negative posts are associated with the topic of digital security and the risk of digital addictions. In addition, this article presents the results of Internet-based testing of students that reveal the level of digital literacy and readiness to work in a digital environment. The problems students face are mainly related to aspects such as “digital content creation skills” and “digital security”. Also, the analysis of the frequency of interaction with gadgets and the risk of student digital addiction is carried out. It’s revealed that some of the respondents have a risk of internet addiction and a high level of nomophobia.


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