Accessibility of digital primary healthcare services for older people in Estonia

Society is becoming increasingly dependent on digital solutions, affecting older people. Digital solutions used in healthcare can help maintain the independence of older people, improve quality of life, and support increased patient participation, but only if people have the opportunity to use digital solutions in a dignified way. Studies show that there is a digital divide related to age, which affects the use of technology. Older people are open to using technology, but they face challenges, and often the support of family and loved ones is very important. A study conducted in Scandinavian countries shows that older people feel that the use of digital solutions in healthcare makes them dependent on other people, and this affects their dignity in terms of privacy infringement, the need for continuous learning, the importance of human contact and safety. However, the topic has not been studied in the Estonian context.