The Use of Online Medical Record Functionalities in Older Adulthood: The Role of Use Encouragement and Access Frequency

This study aimed at predicting the use of online medical record functionalities in later life. Frequency of accessing the record and the encouragement to use it by healthcare provider served as the main predictors. The study’s theoretical framework was comprised of the facilitating conditions and the technology familiarity approaches. The data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey and analyzed using logistic regression models. The sample included Internet users aged 60 years or older who accessed their online medical records at least once during the year prior to the survey (N = 623). The results show an interaction between access frequency and use encouragement concerning the use of online medical record for looking up test results and securely messaging healthcare providers. In both cases, the effect of the use encouragement was more pronounced in frequent than in non-frequent users. Access frequency and use encouragement were each positively associated with using online medical record for downloading personal health information. The results suggest that both studied factors are important for understanding online medical record use in older adulthood, therefore supporting each theoretical approach employed. In addition, the results underscore a differential role the use encouragement plays for older frequent and non-frequent online medical record users.