Elderly People and Digital Pharmaceutical Services: Challenges, Needs and Solutions

In the context of global population aging, ensuring the availability and quality of healthcare services for the elderly is becoming relevant. Digital healthcare, including pharmaceutical services, opens up new opportunities to improve their quality of life. The purpose of the study is to study the experience of using digital pharmaceutical services by the elderly and identify the factors influencing this. A sociological survey among the elderly and pharmaceutical workers showed that 46.0 % of respondents have an average level of comfort when using applications, but only 7.7 % actively use pharmaceutical services. The main problems are delivery delays and technical failures. Most respondents are willing to learn how to use these services. The study is aimed at developing recommendations for improving the availability and quality of digital pharmaceutical services for the elderly.

BACKGROUND. In the context of global population ageing, the availability and quality of healthcare for older people are becoming increasingly important. Digital healthcare, including pharmaceutical services, offers new opportunities to improve their quality of life by allowing them to receive healthcare services and information at home. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for digital technologies in healthcare. However, there is a lack of research on older people’s perception and use of these technologies.

OBJECTIVE. To study the experience of using digital pharmaceutical services by older people and identify influencing factors. The study analyzes the needs of older people in digital health and the willingness of pharmacists to interact with them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A sociological survey of elderly people and pharmaceutical workers was conducted using two questionnaires to assess awareness of digital pharmaceutical services, their use and satisfaction with services. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis were used.

RESULTS. The study identified the main barriers and obstacles that older people face when using digital pharmaceutical services. Thus, 46.0 % of respondents rated their comfort level when using applications as average, while only 7.7 % of respondents over 60 regularly use pharmaceutical services and applications. 30.7 % of respondents used mobile applications to order medicines, which indicates their demand. Among the difficulties encountered when working with pharmaceutical services and applications, respondents noted delays in delivery or cancellation of orders, as well as technical problems. Most survey participants (61.5 %) expressed a willingness to learn how to work with pharmaceutical services, ready to spend more than 30 minutes on this. The survey analyzed the role of pharmaceutical workers in the process of adaptation of older people to new technologies. The results of the study can form the basis for developing recommendations to improve the accessibility and quality of digital services in the pharmaceutical field for older people.

CONCLUSION. Digital pharmaceutical services have the potential to improve access to healthcare and enhance the quality of life of older people. However, their effective use requires overcoming low awareness and emerging challenges. Improving the availability and effectiveness of services contributes to healthier and more active ageing.