Acceptance of the Apple Watch Series 6 for Telemonitoring of Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Qualitative Descriptive Study Part 1

Abstract

Background The Apple Watch is not a medical device per se; it is a smart wearable device that is increasingly being used for health monitoring. Evidence exists that the Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under controlled circumstances. Objective This study aimed to better understand older adults’ acceptance of the Watch as a part of telemonitoring, even with these advancements. Methods This study conducted content analysis on data collected from 10 older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who consented to wear the Watch. Results Using the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, results showed that participants experienced potential health benefits; however, the inability of the Watch to reliably measure SpO2 when in respiratory distress was concerning. Participants’ level of tech savviness varied, which caused some fear and frustration at the start, yet all felt supported by family and would have explored more features if they owned the Watch. All agreed that the Watch is mainly a medical tool and not a gadget. Conclusions To conclude, although the Watch may enhance their physical health and well-being, results indicated that participants are more likely to accept the Watch if it ultimately proves to be useful when experiencing respiratory distress.