Digital technology use among disadvantaged Australians: implications for equitable consumer participation in digitally-mediated communication and information exchange with health services
Digital technology use among disadvantaged Australians: implications for equitable consumer participation in digitally-mediated communication and information exchange with health services
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DOI：
10.1071/ah11042
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发表时间：
2012-01-01
影响因子：
1.8
通讯作者：
Baum, Fran
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Newman, Lareen;Biedrzycki, Kate;Baum, Fran
目标。介绍关于低收入和弱势背景的澳大利亚人获取和使用数字信息和通信技术(ICT)的研究结果，以确定对消费者公平获得以数字为媒介的医疗服务和信息的影响。2008-2009年举行了焦点小组，有80名南澳大利亚州低收入和弱势背景的居民参加，主要是工作和家庭形成年龄(25至55岁)。对先验主位和突发主位进行定性分析，描述优势范畴。由于能力、资源和生活经验的差异，在群体内部和群体之间，获得和使用计算机、互联网和移动电话的范围、频率和质量差异很大。障碍和促进者包括英语识字(包括母语人士)、技术识字、教育、收入、住房状况、社会关系、健康状况、就业状况和信任。许多人通过试错或从朋友那里获得ICT技能，只有少数人通过正规程序获得技能，导致技能各异。低收入和弱势群体在获取和使用信息和通信技术方面存在很大差异，在提供以数字为媒介的消费者-提供者互动、在线健康信息或健康状况在线自我管理时，健康倡议和服务必须承认和适应这一差异。如果服务要求消费者参与以数字为媒介的通信交流，那么我们建议他们可以支持技能和技术的获得，或者提供非ICT替代方案，以避免加剧健康不平等。
Objective. To present research findings on access to, and use of, digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) by Australians from lower income and disadvantaged backgrounds to determine implications for equitable consumer access to digitally-mediated health services and information.Methods. Focus groups were held in 2008-09 with 80 residents from lower income and disadvantaged backgrounds in South Australia, predominantly of working- and family-formation age (25 to 55 years). Qualitative analysis was conducted on a-priori and emergent themes to describe dominant categories.Results. Access to, and use of, computers, the Internet and mobile phones varied considerably in extent, frequency and quality within and across groups due to differences in abilities, resources and life experience. Barriers and facilitators included English literacy (including for native speakers), technological literacy, education, income, housing situation, social connection, health status, employment status, and trust. Many people gained ICT skills by trial and error or help from friends, and only a few from formal programs, resulting in varied skills.Conclusion. The considerable variation in ICT access and use within lower income and disadvantaged groups must be acknowledged and accommodated by health initiatives and services when delivering digitally-mediated consumer-provider interaction, online health information, or online self-management of health conditions. If services require consumers to participate in a digitally-mediated communication exchange, then we suggest they might support skills and technology acquisition, or provide non-ICT alternatives, in order to avoid exacerbating health inequities.