Yes / Background: New technologies provide opportunities for the delivery of broad, flexible
interventions with older adults. Focus groups were conducted to: (1) understand older
adults’ familiarity with, and barriers to, interacting with new technologies and tablets; and
(2) utilize user-engagement in refining an intervention protocol.
Methods: Eighteen older adults (65–76 years old; 83.3%female) who were novice tablet
users participated in discussions about their perceptions of and barriers to interacting
with tablets. We conducted three separate focus groups and used a generic qualitative
design applying thematic analysis to analyse the data. The focus groups explored
attitudes toward tablets and technology in general. We also explored the perceived
advantages and disadvantages of using tablets, familiarity with, and barriers to interacting
with tablets. In two of the focus groups, participants had previous computing experience
(e.g., desktop), while in the other, participants had no previous computing experience.
None of the participants had any previous experience with tablet computers.
Results: The themes that emerged were related to barriers (i.e., lack of instructions
and guidance, lack of knowledge and confidence, health-related barriers, cost);
disadvantages and concerns (i.e., too much and too complex technology, feelings
of inadequacy, and comparison with younger generations, lack of social interaction
and communication, negative features of tablets); advantages (i.e., positive features of
tablets, accessing information, willingness to adopt technology); and skepticism about
using tablets and technology in general. After brief exposure to tablets, participants
emphasized the likelihood of using a tablet in the future.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that most of our participants were eager to adopt
new technology and willing to learn using a tablet. However, they voiced apprehension
about lack of, or lack of clarity in, instructions and support. Understanding older adults’
perceptions of technology is important to assist with introducing it to this population and
maximize the potential of technology to facilitate independent living. / The Dunhill Medical Trust [R359/0514].
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/16808 |
| Date | 04 October 2017 |
| Creators | Vaportzis, Ria, Clausen, M.G., Gow, A.J. |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Article, Published version |
| Rights | Copyright © 2017 Vaportzis, Giatsi Clausen and Gow. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
Page generated in 0.0028 seconds