Use of the internet in assessing service provision for older people

Purpose: The evaluation of primary and other care services for older people remains difficult due to the challenges of cost-effective sampling and assessment of older people's views. The internet is an increasingly attractive option for evaluation due to its low cost and flexibility of use. The purpose of this paper is to report on a pilot study into the use of a web-platform with older people. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 552 community dwelling men and women, aged at least 50 years, participated in an epidemiologic study conducted entirely remotely which included questions on the provision of services for older people. Findings: The sample was heterogeneous being 52 per cent male, an age range of 50-95 years (x̄ 1/4 64 years) and with 13 per cent being in the two most deprived categories of social deprivation. Awareness of the National Service Framework for older people was low (14 per cent). For areas covered by the policy satisfaction with the availability of services was generally high (>70 per cent), whilst satisfaction with level of consultation was low (≤30 per cent). Originality/value: This study shows that the internet is a viable technology for the evaluation of primary and other care services in older people. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.