# The Relationship Between Technology Use and Medication Access in Older Adults in Puerto Rico

## TL;DR

This study explores how older adults in Puerto Rico use technology to access medications and finds that education, income, and age influence their digital pharmacy experiences.

## Contribution

A new Spanish-language questionnaire was developed and validated to assess digital inequalities in medication access among older adults.

## Key findings

- Higher education and income correlate with better internet access and digital skills.
- Younger participants perceive technology as more helpful for medication access.
- Perceived usefulness of technology does not relate to medication access barriers.

## Abstract

The recent shift from in-person to digital pharmacy services is transforming how patients interact with their pharmacists but has the potential to disadvantage older adults (aged ≥ 65) who often face barriers when using technology. This study aimed to assess digital inequalities affecting medication access among older adults. A Spanish-language questionnaire was developed and psychometrically validated, revealing a two-factor latent structure comprising: (1) Technology Use, and (2) Medication Access. Item discrimination analysis confirmed that all significantly differentiated between those that used technology to facilitate their medication access and those that did not (p < 0.001). Participants with higher education reported greater income levels (p < 0.001), and income was in turn related to both internet access and digital skills. Age played a key role in perceptions of technology. Participants who considered technology helpful were younger (x¯ = 72.9) than those who did not (x¯ = 76.6; p = 0.001). There was no significant relationship between perceived technological usefulness and reporting not being able to acquire medications because of technological barriers (p = 0.788). This newly created and validated questionnaire identified gaps related to digital pharmacy services and may be a useful tool in future clinical, community, and investigative contexts.