How to promote the healthy development of continuous participation in smart medical and elderly care systems: The dual perspective of perceived value and risk

Objective

In an environment with an ageing population, elderly care has become a focus of social attention. The combination of smart medical care with elderly care and how to encourage the elderly to participate in the systems and enjoy a higher quality of life have become social priorities. We aimed to analyse the perceived risk and value associations of self-health management-conscious older adults regarding smart medical and elderly care systems (SMECS) and to explore the mechanisms of SMECS affecting them.

Methods

Using a Likert scale, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey and collected 387 valid responses. This was a cross-sectional study, and various key data were collected relating to the continued participation of older users in SMECS. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to explore the data.

Results

According to the data analysis, price, operability and personalisation all have significant correlations with perceived value and perceived risk. Perceptions of value and risk influence the continuous participation of the elderly, and this has a potentially positive effect on their mental and physical health.

Conclusions

Under the home-based care model, economic factors and technological accessibility were important factors affecting the elderly's continuous participation in SMECS. A personalised programme for the elderly warrants attention. In addition, the effect of perceived risk from the health-related systems was stronger than their perceived value. This research can help elderly users bridge the digital divide and enjoy smart health and medical care.