Technology commitment among informal caregivers in Germany: results of an online survey

10.30207/AHLA.202312.0032

Tatjana Murau；Melanie Messer

digital devices ； digital health literacy ； health apps ； home care ； informal caregiver ； technology commitment

The Proceeding of the 9th AHLA International Health Literacy Conference: Health Literacy and Social Resilience

2023（2023 / 12 / 01）

34 - 34

英文

Background: Digital technologies are discussed as possible solutions for support of informal caregivers (IC) in home care settings. However, it is important to know the willingness and needs of IC to use such options. Objectives: The aim is to describe technology commitment as well as usage of digital devices and attitudes towards digital support options among IC. Method: An online study was conducted among IC in Germany. Technology commitment was assessed using a standardized scale consisting of three subscales with 5-point Likert Scales (1= not true at all, 5= completely true). User frequency of digital devices was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale, attitudes towards digital support options were assessed on a 4-point Likert scale. Results: Overall, 92 IC with a mean age of 54.25 (SD=13.59) participated in the study. The overall technology commitment was indicated as moderate (M=40.51). 86.5% of the respondents use a smartphone or cell phone daily. In contrast, 45% use tablets never or less than once a month. 87.6% have consulted websites with information on health and care topics. Only 34.8% used health-related apps. The use of digital and technical support in the area of mobility and activation has a high level of agreement among the respondents (M=3.4), while the use for physical tasks, e.g. in personal hygiene, has a lower level of agreement (M=2.6). 66.3% of respondents rate digital and technical support options more as an opportunity than a risk. Concerns about costs (60,5%) and data protection (67,4%) are common. Conclusion: The results show that IC often uses digital devices that have been established for a long time and that use of future digital and technical support is seen less in physical tasks. The results provide useful hints for the further development of digital and technical devices as well as targeted support of digital health literacy.