Preferences of community-dwelling older adults with multimorbidity for digital empowerment interventions: Protocol...

The development of digital health technologies has had a positive impact on the management of comorbidity in the elderly. At the same time, it also sets certain requirements for the digital health literacy of older adults. To effectively implement interventions that improve digital health literacy among older adults with multimorbidity, it is essential to involve patients in decision-making processes and to develop interventions that align with their preferences.

This study will use Discrete choice experiment to investigate the needs and preferences of older adults with multimorbidity for digital health literacy intervention. Attributes were identified through a literature review, in-depth interviews, and expert consultation. The attributes are intervention provider, content, type, frequency, material, learning mode, supplementary services, and cost. According to the identified attributes and levels, the choice set questionnaires were generated using Stata software. Furthermore, the study will assess the impact of demographic factors, social support, self-efficacy, levels of digital health literacy, and technology anxiety on the selection of preferences. A mixed logic model will analyze respondents'preferences for different intervention attributes and levels. A latent class model will identify heterogeneous group preferences.

We anticipate a minimum of 300 older adults with multimorbidity in community enrolling and completing data collection. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The collection and analysis of patient preference information will greatly improve the accuracy and effectiveness of digital health literacy interventions in the development, adoption, and economic evaluation.