New challenges in telemedicine digital divide
New technologies, platforms and innovations in the medical world facilitate bringing specialized health care closer to patients’ homes. Its infrastructure is based on computer and communications services It encompasses a wide range – from support e-mail and informational activities, and up to full scale videoconferencing , depending on broadband availability and ubiquity of offerings.
This creates a whole new world of services, from new delivery methods for healthcare services, such as appointment scheduling, medical data evaluation, digital centralized patient files, ask-the-doctor forums, medical research, nurse advice and up to monitor chronically ill patients to identify and alleviate problems before a more serious situation occurs.
Yet, the digital divide is crucial. These services are in contrast to the typical techno phobia of older adults-, which make the most significant market segment for these offerings.
A whole new older-user friendly approach to self-activation and interaction with telemedicine related devices and services is called for. One that will facilitate, simplify and connect this segment of the population.