Digital Health Applications in Access to Health Service From the Perspective of Older Adults: "It Is Difficult to Keep up With the Digital Age …"

ŞAHİN BÜYÜK D., Aynur C., BİLGİN N.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, vol.42, no.6, pp.1761-1772, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 42 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/phn.70005
  • Journal Name: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, AgeLine, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
  • Page Numbers: pp.1761-1772
  • Keywords: digital age, digital health, digital health experience, digital health information systems, digital health perception, digital health systems, older adults
  • Manisa Celal Bayar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the experiences of older adults in T & uuml;rkiye regarding widely used digital health information systems in healthcare and to develop a conceptual process model based on these experiences.Design and SampleThe research was conducted based on a qualitative approach using a grounded theory design. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine individuals aged 65 and above, selected through criterion and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsThe categories identified through in-vivo coding were: "We have grown old & mldr;" (f = 115), "It is necessary to be prepared for everything" (f = 69), "It is difficult to keep up with the digital age" (f = 97), and "It is not difficult" (f = 93).ConclusionThe study revealed that older adults prefer traditional methods for healthcare access and encounter barriers like lack of knowledge, usability issues, and technological anxiety with digital systems. However, they also recognized the benefits of digital health. It concludes that digital services should be more inclusive and user-friendly for older adults.