Usability, acceptability, and feasibility of a remote monitoring system for rural-dwelling African-Americans

TL;DR

This study explored how well a remote monitoring system could be used by older African Americans in rural areas, finding it generally acceptable and feasible.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the usability and cultural appropriateness of remote monitoring systems for rural-dwelling African Americans.

Findings

Participants were satisfied with the system's passive nature and ease of use.

Data was collected continuously over half of the days the sensors were installed.

Participants expressed openness to using remote monitoring if their health declined.

Abstract

Background and

This study examined the usability, acceptability, and feasibility of deploying a remote monitoring system in the homes of cognitively healthy rural-dwelling African Americans.

Ten homes in a southeastern state were outfitted with seven sensors/smart devices for up to three months. A ‘one-time’ survey was distributed online to collect demographic and technology use data. A ‘weekly’ online survey was also distributed to assess changes in health and home occupancy. Thirty-minute interviews were conducted at the study’s conclusion. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Feasibility was determined by the percentage of days data were collected across all sensors.

Participants, on average, were 72 years old, married, had a college or higher education, and owned a smartphone. Themes emerging from interviews related to technology-use satisfaction, ease of technology use, barriers to technology use, openness to remote monitoring, perceived usefulness of remote monitoring for others, and data usefulness. Overall, users were satisfied with the system, especially its passive nature and ease of use. Some, but few, barriers existed to system use (e.g., remembering to weigh). Participants were open to continuous remote monitoring if their health declined. All participants thought receiving sensor data routinely would support their health maintenance. Suggestions for system improvement will be presented. Data across sensors was continuously collected over half of the days installed.

Remote monitoring may be culturally-appropriate for empowering rural-dwelling African Americans to age-in-place, but these systems should be easy-to-use and designed with community input.