Research project DigiTechOP

Digital technologies for older people (DigiTechOP)

DigiTechOP is an online series of expert talks to inform and educate the general public about current scientific debates. The focus is on digital health while digital technology is discussed as a driver for sustainable societal change impacting the life experience, health, and healthcare needs of older individuals.

The project at a glance

  • Start date:
    Summer 2024

  • Funding:
    University of Luxembourg.

  • Principal investigator(s):
    Adrian STANCIU

About

Digital technologies such as smartwatches, wristbands, and smartphones are used in healthcare. These devices facilitate uninterrupted collection and storage of digital personal data that are processed in automatized algorithms. Diseases are diagnosed faster helping healthcare professionals in providing timely and effective prevention and treatment. However, the use of digital technologies in healthcare can backfire if diverse risk factors, healthcare needs, and limitations are not accommodated. A sustainable digitalized society where healthcare is personalized involves not only Internet coverage and affordable hardware but also adequate digital skills in people. The modern society is digitally divided. Younger generations habitually use digital technologies and have structural support in becoming digitally literate, for instance, in schools or through targeted policies. Meanwhile, older generations must update themselves, for example, learn new skills while accepting digital health as the standard. The increasingly digitalized society puts many older people at a high risk of developing anxieties and an overall poor wellbeing. Most older people today do not fully benefit from advancements in healthcare due to unequal access to technology and limited digital literacy.

Themes

Experts from multiple disciplines are involved, for instance, from the social sciences, health sciences, ethics and law, and science and technology. Our goal is evidence-based content that is easily accessible for everyone.

More content is on the way… Stay tuned as new episodes continue to be released.

‟ More often than not, we fear something because we don’t understand it well enough. DigiTechOP aims to bridge the knowledge gap between recent scientific findings and the general public. We create evidence-based content that hopefully can answer many, if not all, the questions relating digital technology and older age.”

Adrian STANCIU

Assistant professor Lifespan Developmental Psychology

DigiTechOP: First Look

Project team

Keywords

  • Digital technology
  • Old age
  • Healthy ageing
  • Sustainable society
  • Personalised healthcare

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