Scoping review of the e-health literature in older adults

The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the breadth and scope of the existing literature on eHealth in older adults, with a particular focus on access, uptake, usability, and outcomes related to eHealth technologies. The review aims to map the existing evidence, identify research gaps, and from these, analyze the factors that influence eHealth literacy in older people and inform future research and interventions aimed at increasing eHealth engagement in the older population.

A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Relevant peer-reviewed articles published over 10 years between 2015 and 2024 were screened from multiple electronic databases. Studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a focus on older adults and their interactions with eHealth technologies.

A scoping review of literature from PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and EBSCO identified 2247 studies, with 25 full-text articles published in the past 10 years. Findings reveal that e-health literacy decreases with age and lower education levels. External factors such as social support, technology access, and healthcare policies fluctuate with economic conditions, while internal factors like cognition, attitudes, and motivation are influenced by age and life experiences.

eHealth literacy holds promise for enhancing healthcare access and outcomes among older adults. However, significant barriers remain, particularly regarding usability, accessibility, and digital literacy. Future research should focus on targeted education and longitudinal evaluation to better understand and support older adults' engagement with eHealth technologies.