Evaluating the older adult experience of a web-based, tablet-delivered heart failure self-care program using gerontechnology principles

The goals of gerontechnology are to develop technology that facilitates goal attainment and improves satisfaction with life for older adults. Few mHealth technology systems have been evaluated using these criteria. The purpose of this paper was to present the qualitative analysis of participant post-intervention interviews from the tablet-delivered Penn State Heart Assistant intervention. Semi-structured interviews (n = 12) were conducted after the completion of a 30 day study protocol. Interviews were transcribed verbatim by a professional transcriptionist, then analyzed using an iterative process of coding, categorization, and thematic development using DeDoose software and a gerontechnology interpretive lens. Two themes with six subthemes arose: Benefits - information sharing with others, usability and learnability, use of help resources; Suggestions - continuing use after the study, technical problems, participant suggested improvements. Interviews suggested improved goal attainment and satisfaction with life for the older adults with use of the tablet.