Seoul, South Korea – A recent study conducted by researchers from Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Silvia Health (an aged care company), and DTx maker WELT Corp. sheds light on distinct differences in the purpose and satisfaction levels associated with healthcare applications and wearable health devices among elderly Koreans. The study, considered groundbreaking, focuses on the utilization of digital health technology among pre-frail or frail senior adults compared to their healthy counterparts.
The collaborative research, supported by a grant from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, has been detailed in the Journal of Korean Medical Science.
Surveying a cohort of 505 respondents, the study found that 30% were categorized as frail based on Korean standards, while the remaining 70% were deemed healthy. All participants were identified as smartphone users, although 63% reported challenges in independently installing or uninstalling mobile applications.
Notably, a quarter of the respondents acknowledged using healthcare apps, with a prevalence among healthy seniors. In contrast, frail seniors were more inclined to use such apps for obtaining healthcare information and seeking medical guidance. The researchers highlighted the significance of healthcare apps in supporting self-care and managing personal healthcare data.
Wearable devices, including smartwatches, ear devices, and patch-type wearables, were used by a mere 36 out of over 500 respondents. The study revealed that healthy users found greater convenience in utilizing wearable devices compared to their frail counterparts. Notably, frail seniors leaned towards employing wearable devices to make decisions regarding emergency or early hospital visits.
This study marks a crucial step in understanding the nuanced needs of elderly individuals when it comes to digital health technology, emphasizing the importance of tailoring solutions to cater to the specific requirements of both healthy and frail seniors.
