Trajectory of digital health oriented to the elderly: key actors’ perspective, Chile 2022
Authors
Macarena Hirmas Adauy
Universidad del Desarrollo. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana. Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud
Andrea Olea
Universidad del Desarrollo. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana. Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud
María Ximena Sgombich Mancilla
Grupo Nous
Daniel Jofré Vidal
Grupo Nous
Maurizio Mattoli Chiavarelli
Universidad del Desarrollo. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana. Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina. Centro de Informática Biomédica
Introduction: The aging of the population represents an advance in living conditions and, brings with it challenges in healthcare. Digital health, using information technologies, is key to closing gaps and achieving universal coverage, especially in vulnerable groups such as the elderly. The objective of this article is to understand the trajectory of digital health for the elderly and their caregivers in Chile through key actors. Materials and methods: Qualitative design of thematic and interpretative analysis. Key informants were selected using the snowball technique. Semi-structured interviews addressed dimensions such as digital health interventions, barriers, and facilitators for implementation. Interviews were conducted between March and July 2022. Ethical approvals were received. Results: It was observed that programs for older people often lack coordination and may have a standardized approach with childlike elements, limiting their relevance. The active involvement of older people and their caregivers in the design of these initiatives is essential. Although the pandemic accelerated the implementation of telemedicine, challenges persist in access to information and technology adoption, especially among the elderly. Barriers include institutional issues like lack of coordination and budgetary constraints and challenges in technology adoption, such as the connectivity gap and resistance to change. Discussion: This study provides insight into the implementation of digital health in the context of older people in Chile and highlights the importance of collaboration and adaptation to achieve improvements in access and health care for this population.
Keywords:
digital health strategies, older people, caregivers, telemedicine, digital literacy
Hirmas Adauy, M. ., Olea, A., Sgombich Mancilla, M. X. ., Jofré Vidal, D. ., & Mattoli Chiavarelli, M. . (2024). Trajectory of digital health oriented to the elderly: key actors’ perspective, Chile 2022. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 28, e75205. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2024.75205
