Helping Older Patients Navigate New Tech Devices

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic launched the world into all things remote, healthcare providers have eagerly adopted telehealth in addition to countless other new tech devices. While for many patients, these technologies are welcome, making healthcare more accessible and convenient for patients. For others - especially older patients - the transition to virtual health care is daunting and confusing. 

While older patients may be hesitant to adopt these new technologies, many of them are the patients that would benefit most from virtual healthcare. For this reason, it is your responsibility as a provider to guide your patients into embracing new tech devices, granting them access to the best possible care. 

Low Technology Literacy

 

It is no surprise that many older adults struggle with today’s plethora of new technologies. As healthcare becomes more and more technically advanced, these struggles follow, leaving many patients confused and frustrated with their healthcare access. If these feelings progress, patients tend to become discouraged and lack the confidence to learn, thus impeding their motivation to pursue technology - telehealth or otherwise. 

As such, many providers assume that older patients do not have an interest in medical technology. The reality is that it is not a lack of interest keeping older patients from embracing technology, but low technology literacy or physical challenges. 

Older patients understand the benefits that technologies such as telehealth and remote monitoring devices can bring them, but they don’t know where to start. Many older patients are eager to embrace new tech devices, but they need help from their providers to become familiar with the technology. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do as a provider to help these patients embrace the future of healthcare. 

 

Tips for Navigating New Devices

 

Introduce Hybrid Healthcare

 

An excellent way to begin the introduction to new technologies in healthcare is by starting with hybrid healthcare - the combination of in-person and virtual healthcare visits. Hybrid healthcare is an excellent starting point, as it exposes patients to virtual healthcare without forcing virtual visits as their only means of communication with their provider. 

Patients can come initially come in for in-person visits and continue to when necessary, but slowly transition to virtual visits for routine check-ups. As a result, patients grow more comfortable with the concept and technology surrounding telehealth while still maintaining in-person visits as an option for care. 

 

Help Patients with Virtual Onboarding

 

While hybrid healthcare is an excellent way to slowly integrate virtual visits into a patient’s routine, many will still face the challenge of learning to use the technology necessary for these virtual visits. Operating smartphones and laptops can still come as a challenge for many older patients, so merely providing patients with a link to create an account on the patient portal is not enough. Doing so may make patients feel discouraged, and thus less likely to embrace technology. 

To combat this challenge, many practices offer onboarding assistance to their older patients. Administrative staff can help patients set up accounts on their patient portals, upload their electronic health records (EHRs), and walk them through the telehealth platform.

By walking patients through the new devices and technologies, they will be more inclined to embrace the technology and continue to learn to use it. Starting the process for patients rather than leaving them to figure it out themselves provides them with enough guidance to overcome their hesitation or fear surrounding unknown technology. 

 

Conduct Practice Visits

 

One step further than guiding patients through the onboarding process of a new device is conducting “practice visits.” Even if patients can maneuver their telehealth platform, they may not know what to expect before their first virtual visit, and going in blind can be daunting. 

To make patients more comfortable in preparation for this, providers should consider conducting mock virtual visits with their patients a few days before their first telehealth appointment. As patients will be exposed to the virtual visit before actually meeting with their physician, going through the motions with an administrative staff member can make patients more comfortable and thus more confident with future telehealth appointments. 

After patients successfully complete their practice visit, they will know what to expect when meeting with their provider in days to come, reducing the nervousness surrounding an unknown technology and interaction. Once they feel comfortable with the concept of telehealth and virtual visits, patients will slowly open up to more medical technologies, opening up the door to more accessible and efficient care. 

 

Embracing New Technology

 

Telehealth

In addition to virtual visits, new tech devices in healthcare offer countless benefits for patients, particularly those of older generations. Telehealth enables patients greater access to healthcare, reducing the need to commute to doctor’s appointments. For patients who require regular visits, live far from their provider, or struggle to handle commutes, supplementing in-person visits with remote ones can be a tremendous relief. 

In addition to virtual visits, patients can utilize their telehealth platforms for ePrescriptions and telediagnosis. Rather than commuting to their doctor for a prescription refill or a simple diagnosis, patients can talk to their providers while remaining remote and fulfill all of their healthcare needs via the patient portal. 

 

Remote Monitoring Devices

Beyond saving the time and energy of commuting to in-person appointments, patients can also benefit from remote monitoring devices. With mobile telehealth or remote medical devices, patients can utilize technology to monitor their health. Their device will monitor, collect, and share health data, uploading it to the patient’s telehealth platform. 

By tracking vitals and health data, patients can not only keep track of their health but report that information to their provider. If a patient’s vitals are concerning or reach a certain level, the device will alert both the patient and their provider, ensuring that they get the medical attention they need. These devices serve as an incredible safety measure for older patients with conditions that require monitoring or even those who live alone. 

 

VR Rehab

An up-and-coming trend in healthcare technology is virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation. Older patients can utilize VR devices such as headsets to undergo rehab, whether physical, neurological or otherwise. 

One exceptional use of VR technology is to treat patients who have suffered from a stroke or brain injury, tailoring their therapy to their specific needs. The device can record a patient’s brain responses and treat them accordingly, alleviating pain while helping patients recover. 

 

Technology is the Future of Healthcare - For All Ages

 

No matter their age, new tech devices are instrumental in advancing healthcare for patients. With healthcare technology, patients will benefit from greater access to healthcare, in addition to overall enhanced care. Particularly for older patients, new medical devices can give them back some of the autonomy and independence that they may have lost due to health conditions. 

While embracing unknown technology can be daunting, there are ways for providers to encourage older patients to adopt these new devices. As a provider, it is essential that you take the time to guide patients into technology, explaining the benefits and challenges and how to use it. With guidance, patients will gain confidence in their ability to use technology and see the benefits, leading them to embrace it with open arms.

 

Contact Us

About the author - Andrei Blaj

Co-founder of Medicai, serial technology entrepreneur. Andrei has over 15 years of experience in healthcare & technology. He graduated in Computer Science with a specialization in Computer Vision & AI and started his first company in 2007 while still a student.
Andrei worked with and founded several healthcare technology startups. His expertise is at the intersection between deep technology and healthcare.