Elsevier

Geriatric Nursing

Volume 48, November–December 2022, Pages 118-126
Geriatric Nursing

The new role of nursing in digital inclusion: Reflections on smartphone use and willingness to increase digital skills among Chinese older adults

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.09.004Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Qualitative research on the positive attitude and digital training preference of older adults in developing countries towards the smartphone use.

  • The older adults in China are willing to accept and use smartphones for simple operations. Peer learning may be an effective way to improve their digital ability.

  • Nursing may play a leading role in driving the global digital inclusion decision-making process.

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the willingness of older adults to use smartphones and improve their digital skills and encourages nursing to actively participate in bridging the digital divide. Methods: Subject analysis was used to conduct qualitative research, and 23 older adults were interviewed. Results: We identified four themes: (1) the current situation of smartphone use; (2) the digital dilemma of smartphone use; (3) social support for digital skills; and (4) the willingness to learn digital skills. Older adults in China are willing to accept and use smartphones for simple operations, and peer learning may be an effective way to improve their digital skills. Conclusion: Community support is necessary to develop the digital skills of older adults with smartphones and reduce the digital divide to the greatest extent possible. Nursing may play a role in promoting digital inclusion for older adults.

Keywords

Digital inclusion
Qualitative research
Older adults
Smartphone use
Nursing

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