The role of health status in older adults’ perceptions of the usefulness of eHealth technology

Ryan Best, Dustin J. Souders, Neil Charness, Tracy L. Mitzner, Wendy A. Rogers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between an older individual’s self-reported health and the perceived usefulness of computers in assisting with health-related tasks. Methods: A total of 210 older adults (age ≥ 60) completed questionnaire items pertaining to demographics, general health, perception of importance of daily activities, technology experience and use, and perceived usefulness of computers and the Internet. Results were obtained using a factor analysis and multiple regression. Results: Self-reported health was found to have a significant negative relationship with the importance of health-related activities to daily living (Beta = -0.210) but a significant positive relationship with the perceived usefulness of computers in assisting with the same health-related activities (Beta = 0.151). Discussion: Results indicate that adoption of health-supporting technologies could be facilitated by user-centered designs that better accommodate older adults in poor health. Alternatively, adoption may be facilitated by making the potential usefulness of computers more salient to older adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHuman Aspects of IT for the Aged Population
Subtitle of host publicationDesign for Everyday Life - 1st International Conference, ITAP 2015 Held as Part of HCI International 2015, Proceedings
EditorsGavriel Salvendy, Jia Zhou, Gavriel Salvendy
PublisherSpringer
Pages3-14
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783319209128
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event1st International Conference on Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population, ITAP 2015 Held as Part of 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2015 - Los Angeles, United States
Duration: Aug 2 2015Aug 7 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume9194
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Other

Other1st International Conference on Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population, ITAP 2015 Held as Part of 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles
Period8/2/158/7/15

Keywords

  • EHealth technology
  • Self-reported health
  • Technology adoption

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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