It's true that elders are not the most tech-savvy but when the digital technology rose, medical professionals have raved about the wonders the new medium can do for senior healthcare. Unfortunately, figures show a disappointing turnout of elders going online to access available healthcare options.
WebMD reports about a study that found out only five to eight percent of seniors go online to talk to their doctors, fill prescriptions, arrange health insurance and access other medical services. Moreover, only 16 percent of seniors have been searching for health information on Google or whatnot.
Researchers deduce the reason behind the low figures. According to WebMD, the expert team recognizes that some seniors may not be comfortable with technology, could not afford computers and internet service and would rather spend their money elsewhere.
Statistics say otherwise. In 2014, according to Pew Research Center, six out of ten seniors use the Internet. 59 percent of seniors have reported that they go online, 47 percent say they have a high-speed home broadband connection and 77 percent own a cellphone. While this is relatively lower than the younger population, more and more seniors are now going online.
This is why Brookings Institution fellow, Dr. Kavita Patel, was shocked with the extremely low figures of seniors who use the Internet for their healthcare needs. She says as quoted by WebMD, "This study shows we can't make assumptions about people's use of digital technology."
There are lot of benefits that seniors can get from going online for their healthcare. These include convenience, efficiency and safety. As per WebMD, patients and doctors can record medical history and rely on online records like prescriptions, lab results and immunizations for the future.
According to Appointment-Plus, because of the rising population of the United States, human staff may not be able to respond to all patients immediately. This is why online schedulers come in handy to conveniently secure appointments with doctors and record all transactions for future use.
As per Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, personal medical records available online help patients monitor their health and become more adherent to medical intervention, satisfaction and empowerment. While there are also challenges such as the security of the information, the benefits are far more than the disadvantages.
Dr. Patel believes that seniors can benefit much from online health care especially they are at an age when their health is deteriorating and when health care costs are skyrocketing. Watch the video below to know more about accessing online health care services for seniors. Sound off your thoughts on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
