Factors influencing older adults' participation in telehealth interventions for primary prevention and health promotion: A rapid review

ObjectiveTo identify facilitators and barriers to older adults' participation in telehealth interventions for primary prevention and health promotion.MethodsRelevant articles were searched using keywords in Embase and MEDLINE. Study characteristics, type of telehealth interventions and technology involved, as well as facilitators and barriers to their use, were extracted from selected articles. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model was used to organise data.ResultsA total of 24 articles (pertaining to 20 studies) were included. Nine facilitators and 11 barriers influencing the participation in telehealth interventions for primary prevention and health promotion among older adults were identified. The most recurrent facilitators were related to the individual's performance expectancy and effort expectancy, as well as the presence of a social dimension associated with the intervention (i.e. having a good relationship with the other participants in the program). The two most prevalent barriers were also related to effort expectancy and performance expectancy, followed by barriers related to the inherent characteristics of the technology and older adults' health condition. Experience, age and gender were also found to moderate technology use and acceptance.ConclusionsThis rapid review highlights the importance of adopting a holistic perspective when designing telehealth interventions aimed at preventive and health promotion purposes among older adults.