Technology challenges among deaf and hard of hearing elders in China during COVID-19 pandemic emergency isolation: A qualitative study

Digital technology can be an effective tool to facilitate emergency assistance in a pandemic, but many deaf and hard-of-hearing elders may experience challenges in using and adopting these technologies. In the context of the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, this study employs a qualitative research method based on in-depth interviews to explore technology challenges among deaf and hard-of-hearing elders in China. The results showed that this group's technology challenges arose mainly from barriers to the mastery of digital technology tools, among which barriers to the use of smartphones, to the accessibility of online medical consultations, and to the presentation of health codes, were most noteworthy. For the informants, these barriers led to social isolation and technology avoidance. What's more, the expectation of individuals to adopt certain types of digital intelligence technologies can inadvertently create inequities for disadvantaged groups and exacerbate the "digital divide." This study highlights the need for emergency management systems to be inclusive of elders with hearing loss in times of public health crises, by providing effective technology support and training to facilitate individuals' access to services and to safeguard their health, interests, and livelihood.

Using a Short Message System to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among Chuukese Women in Guam: Lessons Learned from Linking Distance Technology Between Carriers and Using Telehealth Communication in a Cross-Cultural Context

This paper reports on a project aimed at using a short message system (SMS) to increase cervical cancer screening uptake among Chuukese women in Guam. It documents the process and identifies the unexpected challenges which led to the early termination of the study. Although the original aims of the project were not met, there were some lessons learned about technology incompatibility in the context of Guam's and the United States' cell phone technology interface, the cultural nuances of cell phone use in the study population, and the necessity to follow a protocol for the termination of a project.

Challenges and solutions for using informatics in research

Computer technology provides innovations for research but not without concomitant challenges. Herein, we present our experiences with technology challenges and solutions across 16 nursing research studies. Issues included intervention integrity, software updates and compatibility, web accessibility and implementation, hardware and equipment, computer literacy of participants, and programming. Our researchers found solutions related to best practices for computer-screen design and usability testing, especially as they relate to the target populations' computer literacy levels and use patterns; changes in software; availability and limitations of operating systems and web browsers; resources for on-site technology help for participants; and creative facilitators to access participants and implement study procedures. Researchers may find this information helpful as they consider successful ways to integrate informatics in the design and implementation of future studies with technology that maximizes research productivity.