Digital consultations in primary care have the advantage of offering equal healthcare for people residing in the countryside. While it is gaining acceptance among young- and middle-aged people, the elderly are reluctant to use it. The aim of this study was hence to identify reasons for non-use among elderly in the countryside and describe perceived possible challenges and opportunities with digital consultations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 persons over 65 years old residing in the Swedish countryside. There was a mistrust for services offered by private companies and their public funding, a lack of knowledge of available services, and a lack of perceived usefulness. Personal interaction and continuity was more important than time or travel conveniences, although these advantages were recognized. To prevent digital exclusion, caregivers need to offer information, encouragement, or tools for the elderly. Digital primary care also needs to offer familiarity, with continuity and personal connections.

Studies show that individuals over 65 years are underrepresented by those who utilizes digital health meetings. Since this is a relatively new research area there is not much previous research on how individuals’ attitudes towards digital health meetings in Sweden differ depending on age, and why. By conducting one study group with six respondents aged between 25-30, semi structured interviews with five older respondents aged between 63-75, and one semi structured interview with a Usability Specialist at Kry, this study aims to investigate how the attitudes differs between younger and older individuals, and how these attitudes are managed by digital healthcare actors. The results show that the younger respondents had a more positive attitude towards digital health meetings, mostly because of previous experience of the service. The physical contact proved to be more important to the older respondents in relation to trust. The younger respondents also experienced a normalized view of digital health meetings. To make older individuals experience a more normalized view of digital health meetings, they need more knowledge about the service. As the study was done during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, the virus is assumed to affect this, and hurry the normalization process of these services.