Kurzfassung

Because of demographic changes, the need for healthcare among older people will increase significantly in the coming years. One way to confront these challenges is to rely on modern technologies, such as virtual healthcare assistants (VHAs). In the area of eHealth, this is made particularly difficult by “digital divides”, which lead to unequal technological capabilities and access to technology, and therefore, potentially unequal patterns of use of digital tools. This study analyzes opinions toward a specific VHA, a tablet-based telecare device that supports older people in private households.

The sample is based on an extensive cross-national online access panel in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with the French-speaking part examined separately) that was conducted between May and June 2023, with 2906 respondents included in the analysis. Respondents rated the VHA's functions and appearance using standardized instruments, as well as descriptions and pictures.

Our analysis builds upon an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and structural equation modeling to examine how technological affinity, subjective well-being, and relevant sociodemographic background variables shape the acceptance of the VHA. While technological readiness emerges as the most important variable, subjective well-being is significantly but weakly associated with respondents’ views toward the VHA. In addition, both variables vary across sociodemographic characteristics. The results underscore the importance of social inequality regarding technological readiness, noting that subjective well-being may be relevant when assessing the acceptance of digital tools in healthcare.