Perceptions and Attitudes toward a Proposed Digital Health Physical Activity Program among Older Family Caregivers of Persons with Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Tailored physical activity (PA) programs using digital health technologies in the home can promote family caregivers’ (FCGs) physical function and psychological wellbeing. However, there is a gap in research for digital health PA interventions targeting older FCGs of persons with HF (HF-FCGs). The burden of caregiving for persons with HF may displace the FCG’s self-care, including PA. Therefore, we examined older HF-FCGs’ perceptions and attitudes toward three technology components (video-conferencing, fitness tracker, text messaging) that would be most useful in delivering a digital health PA program. Interviews were conducted with 13 HF-FCGs (≥65 years old) between January and April 2021. Directed content analysis was used and the analysis was guided by the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. In addition to HF-FCGs’ perceptions and attitudes toward each technology component in each construct of the adapted UTAUT model (ease of use, usefulness, facilitating conditions), three additional factors were associated with intention to use technology. These were: (1) HF patients’ positive experience, (2) digital skills, and (3) quality of internet connectivity. The findings provide digital health requirements for design and modification of a technology-supported PA program that engages older FCGs who care for persons with HF.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital health
• caregiver
• older adults
• heart failure
• physical activity

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health [grant number K23AG073471] and in part by the Intramural Award from the University of Colorado College of Nursing (PI: Baik).

We would like to thank Suzanne C. Lareau who is a senior instructor and professional editor in the Office of Research & Scholarship at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and provided constructive edits and comments on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health [K23AG073471]; University of Colorado College of Nursing [Intramural Award].