Privacy and Senior Willingness to Adopt Smart Home Information Technology in Residential Care Facilities

K. L. Courtney

doi:10.3414/ME9104

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 2008; 47(01): 76-81
DOI: 10.3414/ME9104

For Discussion

Schattauer GmbH

Privacy and Senior Willingness to Adopt Smart Home Information Technology in Residential Care Facilities

Authors

K. L. Courtney

¹University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Department of Health and Community Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Abstract

Summary

Objectives: With large predicted increases of the older adult (65 years and older) population, researchers have been exploring the use of smart home information technologies (IT) in residential care (RC) facilities to enhance resident quality of life and safety. Older adults’ perceptions of privacy can inhibit their acceptance and subsequent adoption of smart home IT.

Methods: This qualitative study, guided by principles of grounded theory research, investigated the relationship between privacy, living environment and willingness of older adults living in residential care facilities to adopt smart home IT through focus groups and individual interviews.

Results: The findings from this study indicate that privacy can be a barrier for older adults’ adoption of smart home IT; however their own perception of their need for the technology may override their privacy concerns. Privacy concerns, as a barrier to technology adoption, can be influenced by both individual-level and community-level factors.

Conclusions: Further exploration of the factors influencing older adults’ perceptions of smart home IT need is necessary.

Keywords

Medical informatics - telemedicine - privacy - smart home technology - aged

Full Text

References

References
1 Health Resources and Services Administration.. Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2002
2 Cowan D, Turner-Smith A. The role of assistive technology in alternative models of care for older people. With Respect to Old Age – Research. Volume 2. London: 1999 pp 325-346.
3 Demiris G, Rantz MJ, Aud MA, Marek KD, Tyrer HW, Skubic M. et al. Older adults’ attitudes towards and perceptions of “smart home” technologies: A pilot study. Medical Informatics & The Internet in Medicine 2004; 29 (02) 87-94.
4 Gortzis LG. Designing and redesigning medical telecare services: A forces-oriented model. Methods Inf Med 2007; 46 (01) 27-35.
5 Bauer KA. Home-based telemedicine: A survey of ethical issues. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 2001; 10: 137-146.
6 Rousch CV, Cox JE. The meaning of home: How it shapes the practice of home and hospice care. Home Healthcare Nurse 2000; 18 (06) 388-394.
7 Spitzer WJ, Neuman K, Holden G. The coming of age for assisted living care: New options for senior housing and social work practice. Social Work in Health Care 2004; 38 (03) 21-45.
8 de Veer AJE, Kerkstra A. Feeling at home in nursing homes. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2001; 35 (03) 427-434.
9 Hughes M. Privacy in aged care. Australasian Journal on Ageing 2004; 23 (03) 110-114.
10 Scott PA, Valimaki M, Leino-Kilpi H, Dassen T, Gasull M, Lemonidou C. et al. Autonomy, privacy and informed consent 1: Concepts and definitions. British Journal of Nursing 2003; 12 (01) 43-47.
11 Goodwin LK, Courtney KL, Kirby JD, Iannachione MA, Manley T. A Pilot Study: Patients’ Perceptions About the Privacy of Their Medical Records. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics. 2002 6 (3). http://www.eaa-knowledge.com/ojni/ni/1002/courtney.htm
12 Leino-Kilpi H, Valimaki M, Dassen T, Gasull M, Lemonidou C, Scott A. et al. Privacy: A review of the literature. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2001; 38 (06) 663-671.
13 California HealthCare Foundation.. Medical privacy and confidentiality survey summary and overview. 1999 [cited 10/3/2005]; 1-3]. Available from: www.chcf.org/publications
14 Mangusson L, Hanson E. Supporting frail older people and their family carers at home using information and communication technology: Cost analysis. Journal ofAdvanced Nursing 2005; 51 (06) 645-657.
15 Stefanov DH, Zeungnam B, Bang W-C. The smart house for older persons and persons with physical disabilities: Structure, technology arrangements and perspectives. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 2004; 12 (02) 228-50.
16 Rantz MJ, Marek KD, Aud MA, Tyrer HW, Skubic M, Demiris G. et al. A technology and nursing collaboration to help older adults age in place. Nursing Outlook 2005; 53: 40-45.
17 Mangusson L, Hanson E. Ethical issues arising from a research, technology and development project to support frail older people and their family carers at home. Health and Social Care in the Community 2003; 11 (05) 431-439.
18 Golashani N. Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report 2003; 8 (04) 597-607.
19 Miles MB, Huberman AM. Qualitative Data Analysis. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.; 1994
20 Struzik ZR, Yoshiuchi K, Sone M, Ishikawa T, Kikuchi H, Kumano H. et al. “Mobile Nurse” platform for ubiquitous medicine. Methods In Med 2007; 46 (02) 130-134.
21 Unruh KT, Pratt W. Patients as actors: The patient’s role in detecting, preventing, and recovering from medical errors. Int J Med Inform 2007; 76 (01) 236-244.