Research-based persona narratives for targeted health interventions in the elderly population: a narrative review

Abstract

As global populations age, designing healthcare interventions that effectively address the unique needs of elderly patients is increasingly crucial. Personas, fictional yet empirically grounded user archetypes, have emerged as a tool to bridge the gap between clinical objectives and patient experiences. These personas encapsulate diverse attributes, behaviors, and motivations within specific user groups, enabling healthcare providers to tailor interventions to better meet the needs of elderly populations. Despite growing interest in their use, no comprehensive review has yet examined the application and effectiveness of personas specifically within elderly-targeted healthcare interventions. This narrative review synthesizes current research on persona-based healthcare design, with a focus on interventions for elderly patients. Studies from key databases were analyzed to explore how personas are created, applied, and evaluated for their impact on patient outcomes. A significant finding of the review is the lack of standardized and validated frameworks for persona development, which complicates their practical application across diverse healthcare settings. While personas are effective in designing empathetic, user-centered interventions, the absence of consistent protocols hinders their broader adoption. This review proposes a framework to guide policymakers in developing scientifically grounded, validated guidelines for persona creation, ultimately enhancing healthcare outcomes for elderly patients.