Telemedicine use among older adults in Finland: A regional ecological study analysis

Abstract

Telemedicine has become an essential component of Finland’s digital healthcare ecosystem, yet older adults continue to engage with such services unevenly across regions. This study examines regional patterns of telemedicine use among adults aged 75 years and older using an ecological design based on data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) Digital Services and E-Transactions 2024 dataset. The analysis addresses three questions: regional and age-related variation in telemedicine use, the role of user experiences and barriers, and the association between digital skills, perceived benefits, and challenges with telemedicine uptake. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and ordinary least squares regression were applied to assess regional-level relationships. The results reveal substantial regional variation and a consistent age gap, with lower telemedicine use among those aged 75+. Regions with higher digital skills and perceived convenience show greater uptake, while security concerns and accessibility challenges are negatively associated. The model explains approximately one-third of regional variation. These findings highlight the importance of regional digital ecosystems in shaping telemedicine adoption and underscore the need for targeted digital inclusion and service design improvements.