Time-To-Engage
Intentions and behaviours of using digital health technology by older adults: collaborative research
Description

Time-to-Engage explores individual and contextual factors that interfere with the intention to use digital technologies in health by citizens in advanced age. It also aims at understanding how these factors are shaped by levels of digital competencies and engagement and by availability, accessibility, and affordability of digital equipment.

Challenge

Rapid progress in digital technologies drives innovation in healthcare, bringing multiple benefits at the individual and organizational level. However, given the existence of access- and use-related digital gaps, these benefits do not reach everyone equally. In Portugal, among the citizens who have significant difficulties in keeping up with digital/technological progress, those of advanced age stand out. Since these citizens have a great need to resort to health services, which is due to age-related changes with impact on different areas of functioning, it is a matter of social responsibility to define solutions that foster their digital inclusion. Currently, efforts are being made to improve digital connectivity and infrastructure and to implement initiatives for digital empowerment in advanced age. Yet, little is known about the motivation of these citizens to accept and embrace digital innovation in healthcare.

Approach

Time-to-Engage will use an original survey, built upon the conceptual framework elaborated and validated upon older adults' views on the topic. In the construction process, the 10th European Social Survey findings on socio-cultural determinants of digital health behaviours will also be  considered. Data collected will be used to inform an explanatory model.

Academic Research Impact

By providing conditions for a more in-depth analysis of possible paths to digital inclusion, the project will contribute to the definition of evidence-based solutions for digital equity in health.

Economic and Societal Impact

By approaching the digital transformation-related challenges in advanced age from a new angle, which recognizes the diversity of mobilized adaptative responses and explores the associated factors, Time-to-Engage allows a more in- depth analysis of possible paths to digital inclusion and, from there, a definition of evidence-based solutions for digital health equity.

Internal Partners
Research Centre Research Group Role in Project Begin Date End Date
CIS-Iscte Health For All Leader 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
CIES-Iscte Gender, Life Course and Health Partner 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
External Partners

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Project Team
Name Affiliation Role in Project Begin Date End Date
Elzbieta Bobrowicz-Campos Integrated Researcher (CIS-Iscte); Co-PI 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
Cristina Maria Lopes Camilo Integrated Researcher (CIS-Iscte); Co-PI 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
Elsa Pegado Professora Auxiliar (DMPS); Professora Auxiliar (DS); Integrated Researcher (CIES-Iscte); Investigadora 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
Guilherme Pinheiro PhD Student (CIS-Iscte); Researcher 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
Ana Rita Medeiros -- Scholar 2024-04-01 2025-09-30
Cristofthe J Fernandes -- Scholar 2024-04-01 2025-09-30
Project Fundings
Reference/Code Funding DOI Funding Type Funding Program Funding Amount (Global) Funding Amount (Local) Begin Date End Date
SR23-00290 -- Contract Fundação "la Caixa" - 2023 Social Research - Portugal 99976.65 99976.65 2023-10-23 2025-10-22
Publication Outputs

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Related Research Data Records

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Related References in the Media

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Project Files

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With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific projects with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência-IUL. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified for this project. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.

Intentions and behaviours of using digital health technology by older adults: collaborative research
2023-10-23
2025-10-22