The Relationship Between Technology Use and Medication Access in Older Adults in Puerto Rico

Joseph Badillo-Salcedo, Gabriela M. Vélez-Jiménez, Ethan G. Rosado-Martínez, Kyle Melin and Jonathan Hernández-Agosto ()
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Joseph Badillo-Salcedo: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
Gabriela M. Vélez-Jiménez: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
Ethan G. Rosado-Martínez: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
Kyle Melin: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
Jonathan Hernández-Agosto: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: The recent shift from in-person to digital pharmacy services is transforming how patients interact with their pharmacists but has the potential to disadvantage older adults (aged ≥ 65) who often face barriers when using technology. This study aimed to assess digital inequalities affecting medication access among older adults. A Spanish-language questionnaire was developed and psychometrically validated, revealing a two-factor latent structure comprising: (1) Technology Use, and (2) Medication Access. Item discrimination analysis confirmed that all significantly differentiated between those that used technology to facilitate their medication access and those that did not ( p < 0.001). Participants with higher education reported greater income levels ( p < 0.001), and income was in turn related to both internet access and digital skills. Age played a key role in perceptions of technology. Participants who considered technology helpful were younger ( x ¯ = 72.9) than those who did not ( x ¯ = 76.6; p = 0.001). There was no significant relationship between perceived technological usefulness and reporting not being able to acquire medications because of technological barriers ( p = 0.788). This newly created and validated questionnaire identified gaps related to digital pharmacy services and may be a useful tool in future clinical, community, and investigative contexts.

Keywords: digitalization; health services accessibility; Hispanic or Latino; social determinants of health; digital literacy; pharmaceutical services; digital inequality; Geriatrics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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