A cross-sectional study of 307 older patients with cancer in China reveals three distinct levels of digital health technophobia: Low (50.2%), Moderate with Techno-Anxiety (19.2%), and High (30.6%). The research underscores that resistance to digital health tools isn't simply about access.
Conducted between November 2023 and July 2024 at a tertiary hospital in Shandong, China, the study found that simply owning and using a smartphone didn't eliminate discomfort. In fact, smartphone users were five times more likely to belong to the Moderate Technophobia with Techno-Anxiety group compared to the Low group (OR: 5.26; 95% CI: 1.87-14.78).
Caregiver involvement, prior online health information seeking, and use of the hospital’s WeChat account were linked to lower odds of moderate techno-anxiety. Lower general self-efficacy was associated with higher odds of High Technophobia, suggesting psychological readiness is critical.
The findings suggest that healthcare systems can't rely solely on improving device access. Targeted support addressing confidence, digital literacy, and emotional readiness is essential to prevent digital tools from widening care inequities.