The use of eHealth and digital technologies in the Italian geriatric practice: a survey of the Italian Geriatric Society (SIGOT)

Abstract

e-Health technologies may potentially improve healthcare assistance for frail elderly subjects. However, despite the interest and potential benefits of the field, research highlighted that several challenges remain, such as scarce wide spreading of information and communication technology technologies among the elderly and infrastructural difficulties. The aim of this survey was to assess to what extent digital technologies are widespread and used among Italian geriatricians. We conducted an online survey addressed to geriatricians, from the SIGOT (The Italian Geriatric Society) website, collecting the 78 completed questionnaires. We then analyzed with descriptive statistics the data. Results showed a still scarce use of digital technologies in geriatric practice in Italy. However, more than 60% of the SIGOT geriatricians who participated in the survey responded that the use of digital technology had increased significantly due to COVID-19 pandemic and for 80% of the members, the priority areas for the use of technologies for the care and treatment of the elderly are the management of chronic diseases and the prevention of hospitalization.

Keywords

• Elderly
• gerontology
• technology
• tele-medicine
• tele-assistance
• survey.