Telemedicine and Older Neurology Outpatients: Use of NHS Direct and of the Internet in the UK

Telemedicine is one potential approach to address the under-serviced health needs of older people. This article presents data from a project investigating neurology patients’ awareness and use of the NHS Direct telephone helpline and the Internet over a 10-year period (2001–2010). Older people’s awareness and use of the NHS Direct telephone helpline was low compared to other age groups and did not change with time. Although Internet access and use was also low compared to other age groups, access did increase over time. Hence, future generations of older people may be amenable to health contacts and inputs via cyberspace.