The benefit of learning circle approaches to grow trust and usage of AI-supported e-health programmes for the older population: Commentaries from the Global North and South
1
Aalen University of Applied Sciences, Aalen, Germany
2
Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A107
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is growing scholarship on healthcare in the Global South, highlighting challenges such as limited resources, budget constraints, a high disease burden, and the impacts of climate change and conflict. A critical issue is the shortage of skilled personnel and limited access to Artificial Intelligence to support healthcare systems. Although the Global North faces similar challenges, they are less severe. The increasing global older population further strains resources, especially financial ones. While technology and innovation offer potential solutions, educating older adults to use and trust AI within an e-health framework is essential.
METHODS:
This presentation focuses on the setup of a learning circle approach. A structured approach for emphasising peer interaction and problem-solving to educate older adults on using AI-powered wearables for fall detection, vital signs monitoring, and caregiver alerts, is demonstrated. It also addresses voice-activated assistants for managing medication schedules. The Venn diagram is utilised to illustrate this approach. This diagram highlights the overlapping similarities (shared characteristics) and differences (unique characteristics) among three circles: (a) qualities of healthy ageing, (b) trust in emerging technologies, and (c) community members, healthcare professionals, and laypersons.
RESULTS:
The experimental learning circle framework emphasises the importance of trust and confidence in shared AI-based healthcare for the older population. This framework requires a new narrative for older adults, highlighting not only the need to trust new technologies and their developments but also to engage actively with them and make use of their capabilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
AI-based healthcare for older people necessitates a new narrative that encourages them to not only trust new technologies and their developments but also actively utilise them. The role of e-health in socio-technical transformation marks a major shift from in-person diagnosis and treatment to remote diagnosis and treatment, regardless of the patient's location on the planet.
There is growing scholarship on healthcare in the Global South, highlighting challenges such as limited resources, budget constraints, a high disease burden, and the impacts of climate change and conflict. A critical issue is the shortage of skilled personnel and limited access to Artificial Intelligence to support healthcare systems. Although the Global North faces similar challenges, they are less severe. The increasing global older population further strains resources, especially financial ones. While technology and innovation offer potential solutions, educating older adults to use and trust AI within an e-health framework is essential.
METHODS:
This presentation focuses on the setup of a learning circle approach. A structured approach for emphasising peer interaction and problem-solving to educate older adults on using AI-powered wearables for fall detection, vital signs monitoring, and caregiver alerts, is demonstrated. It also addresses voice-activated assistants for managing medication schedules. The Venn diagram is utilised to illustrate this approach. This diagram highlights the overlapping similarities (shared characteristics) and differences (unique characteristics) among three circles: (a) qualities of healthy ageing, (b) trust in emerging technologies, and (c) community members, healthcare professionals, and laypersons.
RESULTS:
The experimental learning circle framework emphasises the importance of trust and confidence in shared AI-based healthcare for the older population. This framework requires a new narrative for older adults, highlighting not only the need to trust new technologies and their developments but also to engage actively with them and make use of their capabilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
AI-based healthcare for older people necessitates a new narrative that encourages them to not only trust new technologies and their developments but also actively utilise them. The role of e-health in socio-technical transformation marks a major shift from in-person diagnosis and treatment to remote diagnosis and treatment, regardless of the patient's location on the planet.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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