A NEW NORMAL: AARP SURVEY FINDINGS ON OLDER ADULTS’ EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES ON TELEHEALTH AND AI IN HEALTH CARE
2024

AARP Survey on Older Adults' Views on Telehealth and AI

Sample size: 1700 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Cheryl Lampkin, Teresa Keenan

Primary Institution: AARP, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Hypothesis

How have new technology and attitudes about technology impacted older adults' experiences with health care services?

Conclusion

Most older adults prefer in-person health care over telehealth, despite some willingness to use technology for mental health services.

Supporting Evidence

  • 53% of older adults are likely to attend a phone or video session with a mental health professional.
  • 52% are likely to attend a phone or video session with their primary care provider.
  • 82% believe they get better quality care for physical concerns in person.
  • 69% believe they get better quality care for mental health concerns in person.
  • 73% think in-person visits provide a better personal touch.
  • 72% believe in-person visits are more accurate for diagnosis.
  • 68% think in-person visits are more thorough.
  • 60% say in-person and telehealth are about the same for keeping personal information safe.

Takeaway

Older people are open to using video calls for doctor visits, but they think seeing a doctor in person is better.

Methodology

Data obtained from multiple recent AARP surveys among nationally representative samples of midlife and older adults.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in self-reported data from survey participants.

Limitations

The study may not fully capture the experiences of all older adults as it relies on survey responses.

Participant Demographics

Includes midlife and older adults, with oversamples of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino respondents.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0086

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