Evaluation of Older Adults' Access to Healthcare Services: Is There a Digital Divide?

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on healthcare accessibility among older adults in Turkey, with a focus on the digital divide.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 191 participants, categorized into two groups: older adults aged 65 and above, and younger adults aged 18 to 64. Data were collected through structured questionnaires addressing socioeconomic factors, technological usage, healthcare access, and dependency on caregivers for managing online appointment systems. Results: The key findings indicated that older adult participants reported lower income levels, limited smartphone and computer usage, and higher dependency on family members for scheduling appointments compared to younger participants. Even among highly educated older adults, digital engagement was significantly lower, highlighting the role of digital literacy over formal education in reducing technological barriers. Additionally, older adults with chronic conditions face compounded challenges in accessing healthcare services due to their increased dependency on caregivers.Conclusions: To address these challenges, recommendations include implementing digital literacy programs tailored to older adult populations, designing simplified user interfaces for online systems, and adopting hybrid models that integrate traditional and digital healthcare access methods. Policymakers are urged to prioritize digital inclusion initiatives to ensure equitable healthcare access across all age groups.