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IS DIGITAL HEALTH ENOUGH FOR THE
ELDERLY AND CAREGIVERS IN CHILE, 2022?
R E S U L T S
Authors: Macarena Hirmas Adauy, Andrea Olea, Ximena Sgombich,
Daniel Jofré, Camila Awad, Xaviera Molina
The elderly's relationship with technology
is limited, except for those who used
digital devices for work. Technology is
seen as a facilitator for daily tasks,
including healthcare. Concerns mainly
revolve around fraud, scams, misuse of
personal information, and fear of device
damage, widening the digital gap.
O B J E C T I V E
To understand experiences, interactions,
and expectations that elderly, relatives and
caregivers have regarding digital health.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Aging population and opportunities for digital
integration pose a challenge for public
health. Aging process, social isolation, and
low income increases healthcare demand.
Gaps in access lead to unsatisfied needs,
affecting health and quality of life. Chile has
developed digital health strategies to
provide timely and articulated care.
However, this progress has stagnated due
to lack of budget, lack of training, and
incompatibility of systems, among other
factors. It is necessary to understand how
digital health helps elderly people and the
support given by their caregivers.
A qualitative design was conducted based
on 9 focus groups with people aged 65 to 85
years, family members and caregivers.
M E T H O D O L O G Y
Learning to use technology is closely
tied to family support, particularly from
children/grandchildren. In digital health,
the elderly primarily use technology to
access information on diseases,
medications, procedures, self-
diagnosis, medication management,
and caregiving. The access and
utilization of technology contribute to
socioeconomic inequalities. Digital
literacy is acquired through informal
training processes.
C O N C L U S I O N
Facilitating access to equipment and
adequate connection, adaptation
according to needs, development of
digital competencies, accompaniment,
as well as overcoming psychological
barriers, are fundamental elements for
digital health appropriation.
Center for Epidemiology and Health Policy, Faculty of
Medicine, Universidad del Desarrollo, Región
Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile