Secular Trends in Information Communications Technology: Access, Use, and Attitudes of Young and Older Patients With Diabetes

Abstract

Background Advances in information communications technology (ICT) provide opportunities for enhanced diabetes care. Knowledge of the more acceptable communication modalities in patients of different ages will help to inform the direction of future innovations. Methods An anonymous ICT survey (examining access and use of mobile phones, computers, tablets, and the Internet and attitudes toward e-mail, Web-based consultations, and online peer-support) was conducted at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Diabetes Centre in Sydney, Australia. Survey deployment occurred during 4-month periods in 2012 and 2017. Respondents were stratified by current age (P = 0.04). Significant increases in Internet access and smartphone feature use were observed in patients aged ≥40 years (P ≤0.001 for all). Overall use of short message service (SMS, or text messaging) was high (90 and 80% for ages <40 and ≥40 years, respectively). Use of digital applications was low, even among the young (45% in 2017). Comfort with online consultations (40%) and support groups (32%) was also low. Conclusion Access to and acceptance and use of ICT is high, especially in those <40 years of age; however, the greatest increases were seen in those aged ≥40 years. High penetrance of mobile phones and text messaging in all age-groups would suggest that innovations involving an SMS platform have the greatest potential to enhance diabetes care.