Older population faces 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 explained some of the ways to overcome those barriers, one of it is to improve uptake of technology by simplifying the user experience. Next, he called for the normalization technology use among stakeholders. This is followed by ensuring data security, whereby the users know their information is safe and they are protected from data breaches.

Although there is no 100 percent guarantee against data leakage, the existence of proper standard operating procedures and secure infrastructure ensure a much safer environment for patients and their personal data, he said. 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, particularly for the elderly. It brings the benefit of convenience, time savings, wider reach, and cost effectiveness. Along the same note, telemedicine allows for borderless access to various specialists who would otherwise be unavailable physically. As a direct consequence, this may lead to early detection or diagnosis of diseases and illnesses.

On the caregiver front, telemedicine may serve to guide them in providing 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?
An ageing nation has 15 percent of its population aged 65 years and above. According to Choy, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) charted an increase of 7.0–7.4 percent in the population aged 65 years and over between 2019 and 2020. Going by this trajectory, Malaysia would be crossing the 15 percent threshold in 2030.

In an ageing nation, a bigger population is susceptible to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). 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 people between 30 and 69 years old die worldwide due to NCD, and of this figure, 85 percent occur in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, it is pertinent that Malaysia prepares for this inevitability.