Associations Among Family Care, Digital Health Technology Anxiety, and Escort Service Selection in Elderly Patients with Chronic Conditions

Abstract

Objective: Global healthcare systems face growing challenges from aging populations and chronic diseases. Although digital health technologies provide innovative disease management solutions, elderly patients often experience technology-related anxiety due to operational barriers and privacy concerns, hindering adoption. Current research lacks focus on elderly patients’ emotional responses during technology-assisted medical visits, particularly regarding family support and professional escort services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 241 elderly chronic disease patients from five Sichuan Province hospitals. Using validated scales (APGAR Family Function, Technology Anxiety, and Escort Service Willingness), data were analyzed through SPSS PROCESS macro and Bootstrap methods to examine mediating effects. Results: Key findings confirmed: (1) Family care negatively correlated with technology anxiety; (2) Technology anxiety positively correlated with escort service willingness; (3) Family care negatively correlated with escort service willingness; (4) Escort service willingness mediated between family care and technology anxiety, with the “subjective norms” dimension showing the strongest mediation (40.37% of total effect). Conclusion: Family care plays a dual role—directly reducing technology anxiety and indirectly decreasing reliance on escort services. The significant mediation through “subjective norms” highlights how social networks shape elderly patients’ technology acceptance.