Motivational Reasons and Perceptions about Future Participation of Older People in the Research and Development Process of Health Technologies: a Mixed Methods Study

Background Although digital approaches for disease prevention in older people have a high potential and are being used more often, there are still inequalities in access and use. One reason could be that in technology development future users are insufficiently taken into consideration, or involved very late in the process using inappropriate methods. The aim of this work was to analyze the motivation of older people participating, and their perceptions of future participation in the research and development process of health technologies aimed at health care for older people.Methodology Quantitative and qualitative data from one needs assessment and two evaluation studies were analyzed. The quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and the qualitative data were analyzed content-analytically with inductive-deductive category formation.Results The median age of the 103 participants (50 female) was 75 years (64-90), most of whom were interested in using technology and had prior experience of study participation. Nine categories for participation motivation were derived. A common motivation for participation was to promote and support their own health. Respondents were able to envision participation both at the beginning of the research process and at its end. In terms of technique development, different ideas were expressed, but there was a general interest in technological development. Methods that would enable exchange with others were favored most.Conclusions Differences in motivation to participate and ideas about participation were identified. The results provide important information from the perspective of older people and complement the existing state of research.