“It’s a Very Good Second Option”: Older Adults’ Experience of Telehealth

Introduction: The growing ability to provide online services has enabled the proliferation of exercise-based telehealth interventions; however, adoption in older adults may be impacted by low digital literacy and “technophobia.” Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of community and aged-care dwelling older adults following exercise-based telehealth services to provide insights that could guide future telehealth exercise delivery. Design: Semi-structured interviews for qualitative analysis. Methods: Participants (age ≥60) who had completed at least one online exercise session from a registered health professional were recruited through a combination of purposeful and snowball sampling methods via their exercise facility or provider. A semi-structured interview guide was used by 2 interviewers to investigate participants’ experiences and a “critical friends” approach used to identify common themes. Results: Thirteen interviews with 21 participants were conducted from 2 different facilities. Analysis identified meaning units within 3 themes and subthemes. Technology subthemes related to digital confidence prior to telehealth and changes during interventions, as well as the usability of technology for telehealth. Clinical practice subthemes described the different motivations to exercise, perceived benefits of telehealth, important implications for practitioners, and perceptions of safety. The social connection theme related to the social benefits of telehealth. Conclusions: Older adults in our sample were technologically confident and capable of performing exercise sessions delivered via telehealth. They notice benefits from this form of exercise delivery however, prefer face-to-face exercise delivery.