Older population face challenge in adopting telemedicine

Telemedicine is here to stay and as the population of Malaysia ages, it is imperative that the older population come to terms with technology and embrace telemedicine in order to improve their access to healthcare.

Speaking at the 10^th Malaysian Hybrid Conference on Healthy Ageing, Dr Raymond Choy Wai Mun, Chief Executive Officer of DOC2US, noted that there were a few major hindrances when it came to acceptance and uptake of technology among the older population. In general, the older population refers to those who are aged 65 years and above. Chief among the cumbrances is acceptance of new technology, followed by anxiety of online digital health security; ‘computer anxiety’ among the less tech savvy users, and a lack of access to internet or electronic devices.  

Choy went over some of the ways to overcome those barriers. One of the ways to improve uptake of technology is by simplifying the user experience. Next, he called for the normalization of the use of technology among stakeholders. This is followed by ensuring data security, whereby the users know their information is safe and they are protected from data breaches. In this point, Choy said there is no 100% guarantee against data leakage. However, the existence of proper standard operating procedures and secure infrastructure when leakages occur will make it a much safer environment for patients and their personal data. Finally, it goes without saying that by improving and providing access to technology for older patients, they will be more willing to embrace it. Choy said this would need the full backing of all stakeholders.

Telemedicine is critical for low- and middle-income countries
In low- and middle-income countries, telemedicine is a game changer for healthcare in general, and the elderly, in particular. It brings the benefit of convenience, time savings, wider reach, and being cost effective. Along the same note, telemedicine allows for borderless access to various specialists that would otherwise be unavailable physically. As a direct consequence, this will lead to early detection or diagnosis of diseases and illnesses. On the caregiver front, telemedicine may serve to guide them provide care for their wards. In cases where home care professionals are providing care to patients, telemedicine consultation with a doctor will also give the patients and their family members peace of mind due to the knowledge that they are being overseen by a person of authority. 

How old are we?
A nation that is considered ageing is one that has 15% of its population aged 65 years and above. According to Choy, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) charted an increase of in the population aged 65 years and over from 7.0% to 7.4% between 2019 and 2020. Going by this trajectory, Malaysia would be crossing the 15% threshold in 2030.

By stepping into the threshold of an ageing nation, we are looking at a bigger population with susceptibility to non-communicable diseases. Most older adults aged 60 and above have at least one chronic NCD, while one-third have at least two. The significance of being an ageing population can be seen in the fact that each year, 15 million deaths occur due to NCD happen to a person between 30 and 69 years old, and of this figure, 85% occur in low- a middle-income countries. Being one such country, it is pertinent that Malaysia prepares for this inevitability.