Steven J. Taylor

Rush University College of Nursing

Abstract Title:Telehealth Accessibility Among Older Adults in the Metropolitan United States: An Exploratory Study

Biography:

Background and Objectives: Telehealth is an emerging healthcare technology that can increase access to health services, however, numerous barriers exist. For those who have access to the requisite technologies, perceived competency to use such technologies limits implementation. This creates disparities to use across demographic factors including age, an increasingly consequential consideration given an increasingly older global population shift. This descriptive study examines the influence of age on telehealth use and perceived competency.

Research Design and Methods: This exploratory study describes community participants’ (n = 98) who engaged with a service-learning telehealth program at a large metropolitan health university within the United States. Participant’s mean age was 61.30 (16.79). Participants’ level of telehealth use, and associated perceptions were quantified through the Telehealth Competency Questionnaire – Consumer Version (TCQ-C; rated on a Likert scale, 1 = “Low Confidence”: 5 = “High Confidence”) before participating with the service-learning program.

Results: There was a trend of lower telehealth utilization among those 65 and older within our sample (z = -1.908, p= .056; median history of 1 session versus 2-5 in those younger). Perceptions of telehealth competency were significantly lower among those 65 and older (t96 = -2.946, p=0.004), with mean TCQ-C scores 3.89 (SD = .70; n = 53) for older adults versus 4.28 (SD = .57; n = 45) in those younger. The magnitude of the difference was medium (Cohen’s d = 0.610).

Discussion and Implications: This exploratory study highlights a trend of lower telehealth use among older adults, with concurrent lower perceptions of competency to use this healthcare technology. To promote equanimity of health service access and maximize the potential of telehealth, it will be necessary to focus on the unique needs of the older adult population. Targeted telehealth training may be one avenue to remediate this barrier.

Keywords: telehealth, older adults, consumer experience, accessibility

Research Interest:

Steven J. Taylor, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. At RUSH, he embraces a practitioner-teacher-investigator model. His research focuses on older adults, age-friendly health systems, and telehealth. His teaching expertise includes aging, neurological diseases, and interprofessional education.

Janice A. Odiaga, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC is an Associate professor from Rush University, College of Nursing, Department of Women and Children and the Director of the Office of Interprofessional Education. Rush’s practitioner-teacher formed her interest developing curriculum that embraces interprofessional education, social determinants of health and equity.