“Everything cannot be handled virtually”: Understanding intention and use of digital health technologies among rural adults and rural cancer survivors

IF 2.7 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Journal of Rural Health Pub Date : 2025-01-29 DOI:10.1111/jrh.12926

Jenna Shi , Ty A. Robinson EdM, Preena Loomba PhD, Brittany Murley PhD, RN, Larkin L. Strong PhD, Karen Basen-Engquist PhD, MPH, Scherezade K. Mama DrPH

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

This qualitative study assessed internet access and use, barriers and facilitators to participating in digital health interventions or programs, and the engagement experience in virtual versus in-person health interventions among rural adults and rural cancer survivors.

Methods

Rural adults (n = 10) and rural cancer survivors (n = 10) were recruited from previous studies to participate in an in-depth interview. The interview guide contained eight open-ended questions related to participation in technology-based programs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes using a thematic content analysis approach.

Findings

Rural adults were younger (M age = 37.9 ± 11.8 years), more likely to be non-Hispanic Black (90.0%), and reported higher educational attainment (50.0% earned a master's or doctoral degree) compared with rural cancer survivors (M age = 63.0 ± 9.1 years, 70.0% non-Hispanic White, and 20.0% earned a master's or doctoral degree). Participants discussed performance and effort expectancies related to using digital health technologies or participating in virtual programs and cited positive and negative aspects of in-person and virtual platforms. Participants emphasized the need for social connections and missed opportunities in current virtual offerings along with factors that influence their use of technologies (e.g., prior experience, tech anxiety).

Conclusions

Findings from this qualitative study provide an in-depth understanding of the intricate experiences of rural adults and rural cancer survivors when engaging with digital health technologies. Integrating the experiences of rural adults and rural cancer survivors may aid in developing clinical and community-based interventions and policies that support increasing access to digital health services and programs for rural communities.

查看原文本刊更多论文

“一切都不能虚拟处理”：了解农村成年人和农村癌症幸存者对数字卫生技术的意图和使用情况。

目的：本定性研究评估了互联网的接入和使用、参与数字健康干预或计划的障碍和促进因素，以及农村成年人和农村癌症幸存者参与虚拟健康干预与面对面健康干预的体验。方法：从以往的研究中招募农村成年人（n = 10）和农村癌症幸存者（n = 10）参与深度访谈。面试指南包含八个与参与基于技术的项目有关的开放式问题。访谈被记录和转录，并使用主题内容分析方法对突发主题进行分析。结果：与农村癌症幸存者（M年龄= 63.0±9.1岁，70.0%非西班牙裔白人，20.0%获得硕士或博士学位）相比，农村成年人更年轻（M年龄= 37.9±11.8岁），非西班牙裔黑人（90.0%）的可能性更大，受教育程度（50.0%获得硕士或博士学位）更高。与会者讨论了与使用数字卫生技术或参与虚拟项目有关的绩效和努力期望，并列举了面对面平台和虚拟平台的积极和消极方面。与会者强调，目前的虚拟产品需要社会联系和错失的机会，以及影响他们使用技术的因素（例如，以前的经验、技术焦虑）。结论：本定性研究的结果为深入了解农村成年人和农村癌症幸存者在使用数字卫生技术时的复杂体验提供了帮助。整合农村成年人和农村癌症幸存者的经验可能有助于制定临床和基于社区的干预措施和政策，以支持增加农村社区获得数字卫生服务和方案的机会。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Rural Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

6.10%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Rural Health, a quarterly journal published by the NRHA, offers a variety of original research relevant and important to rural health. Some examples include evaluations, case studies, and analyses related to health status and behavior, as well as to health work force, policy and access issues. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies are welcome. Highest priority is given to manuscripts that reflect scholarly quality, demonstrate methodological rigor, and emphasize practical implications. The journal also publishes articles with an international rural health perspective, commentaries, book reviews and letters.