Navigating the Digital Divide: Utilization of Patient Portals Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

This article examines older adults' experiences with patient portals during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Senior Technology Acceptance and Adoption Model (STAM) to understand factors influencing their adoption. The study, based on interviews with 31 adults aged 60 and older, identifies three key phases affecting portal use: objectification (forming perceptions and intentions), incorporation (actual use and challenges), and conversion (long-term adoption supported by education). Findings reveal that many older adults faced barriers including limited understanding of portal benefits, physical and cognitive challenges, and difficulties managing multiple, non-interoperable portals. Participants emphasized the need for tailored, community-based training programs with personalized, hands-on support to improve usability and encourage sustained engagement, offering insights for healthcare providers and policymakers aiming to enhance equitable digital healthcare access for older populations.