An extended Technology Acceptance Model for digital health services among older adults

Digital transformation in the German health system is steadily advancing, yet uptake of digital health services among older adults has been low. Within literature, intention to use these services has been identified as a crucial factor for their uptake. In order to increase this intention, the Technology Acceptance Model can be utilized as a theoretical framework. In our study, we investigate how perceived usefulness and ease of use relate to intention to use digital health services among older adults interested in digital health. Additionally, we include social support and digital health literacy in the model and examine the role of engagement as a digital health volunteer. In this cross-sectional study 217 participants (68.5 years ± 7.4; 42.8% male) of digital health events were surveyed. The structural equation model revealed direct associations between ease of use and digital health literacy (ß = 0.576, p < .001) and social support (ß = 0.133, p = .044). We found an indirect effect of digital health literacy (ß = 0.401, p < .001) on usefulness, mediated by ease of use. Engagement as a digital health volunteer is most closely related to the intention to use (ß = 0.249, p < .001). These findings underline the need for locally available digital health support services for older adults and highlight the key role of digital health volunteers in promoting these services. Additionally, this research challenges age-related stereotypes by demonstrating that expertise in digital health is not age dependent.