Opinions on the use of technology to improve tablet taking in >65-year-old patients on cardiovascular medications

Anita Holender, Stephen Sutton, Anna De Simoni

Objective This study was performed to evaluate the perceptions of the use of technology to improve cardiovascular medicine taking among patients aged >65 years. Methods This qualitative study used focus groups with people aged >65 years taking cardiovascular medications from two East London community centres. Thematic analysis was informed by the Perceptions and Practicalities Approach framework. Results Participants welcomed technologies they considered familiar, accessible, and easy to use. They valued the opportunity to receive alerts to help with forgetting and monitoring their treatment. More advanced technologies such as ingestible sensor systems were considered helpful for elderly people with significant cognitive impairments still living in the community because of improved monitoring by caregivers and clinicians and prolonging independence. Although generally adapting to the increase in technology in everyday life, participants raised a number of concerns that included potential reduction in face-to-face communication, data security, becoming dependent on technology, and worrying about the consequences of technological failure. Conclusions Participants raised a number of concerns and practical barriers that would need to be addressed for technologies to be accepted and adopted in this patient group.