eHealth for older citizens in rural regions of Brandenburg
Runtime
2017 to 2018
Project results
Rural regions are particularly affected by demographic and structural change. The proportion of the elderly population is significantly higher than in urban areas. Added to this is the general situation of a shortage of skilled workers in nursing and other healthcare professions.
A promising and much-discussed approach to compensating for the situation is digitalization in healthcare (e-health). Higher age and living in rural areas are general factors influencing the use of information and communication technology (digital divide). E-health solutions such as health tracking, videoconferencing contacts for consultation with healthcare providers or telemonitoring are often implemented without prior analysis of the target group. Attitudes, needs, wishes and fears are rarely included. However, early involvement of end users is an important prerequisite for realizing the potentials, increasing adaptation and acceptance.
The aim of this study was to gain insights and finally formulate core statements about attitudes, wishes and needs regarding the use of e-health, which can be used for (further) development and implementation of e-health.
To this end, citizens and healthcare professionals were interviewed in focus groups and the content of the discussions was analyzed qualitatively.
Project management at the BTU
Prof. Dr. Juliane Eichhorn
Project Team
Mirko Paul
Funders
The study was funded by the state of Brandenburg through the MWFK and was a sub-project of the DIGILOG research network.