Digital Health Applications in Access to Health Service From the Perspective of Older Adults: "It Is Difficult to Keep up With the Digital Age …".
Damla Şahin Büyük, Çetinkaya Aynur, Bilgin Nurcan
PMID 40660762WHAT IT FOUND
Nine older adults in Türkiye said digital health apps were either easy or hard, often because steps were confusing, they feared mistakes, or they lacked training.
Only three used services alone. Nurses cannot assume older patients can use appointment systems independently.
Key findings
01Only three participants reported independently using digital health services.
02Participants described digital health use as difficult when they faced unfamiliarity, fear of error, and a need for training, and as not difficult when they experienced ease of use, mobile convenience, and time savings.
03Self-perceived competence in using digital health applications ranged from 3 to 10 on a 10-point scale.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study interviewed only nine older adults. The sample was restricted to older adults in Manisa city center who were over 65, had primary school education or above, and already had smartphone, computer, or internet access. Seven participants were male and none were university graduates. The paper gives different counts for e-Pulse use (eight and seven). Translation from Turkish to English may have changed culture-specific meanings. The study focused on e-Pulse and CPAS, not all digital health systems. The study reports perceptions and themes, not outcomes from a tested intervention.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. No funding source is stated in the supplied text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that older adults can use digital health services independently. Only three participants reported doing so, and the themes describe fear of mistakes, complex steps, and need for training. The study did not test whether nurse-led training or advocacy improves access.