Digital Health Engagement Behaviors in US Family Caregivers: Trend Analysis Using the Health Information National Trends Survey 2019-2022 Data

Vollständiger Abstract

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Abstract Background Digital health has provided caregivers with access to supportive resources without space-time restrictions. Caregivers’ digital health engagement behaviors can help them track their own health and that of care recipients as well as communicate with others. While digital health tools have become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend in caregiver engagement has been less explored. Objective This study examined the trends and factors associated with selected digital health engagement behaviors in family caregivers in the United States, using the HINTS (Health Information National Trends Survey) datasets collected from HINTS 5 Cycles 3 and 4 and HINTS 6 from 2019 to 2022. Methods Our cross-sectional data analysis included 1676 family caregivers. Dependent variables were (1) access to online medical records (caregivers’ and care recipients’) and (2) health-related use of social media (sharing health information, interacting with others, and watching health-related videos). Independent variables were survey cycles, demographic, socioeconomic, caregiving, and internet technology factors. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results Among 1676 caregivers (HINTS 5 Cycle 3: n=570; HINTS 5 Cycle 4: n=412; HINTS 6: n=694), access to online medical records increased from HINTS 5 Cycle 3 in 2019 to HINTS 6 in 2022. Access to caregivers’ own records rose from 48.7% to 72.6% ( P