Virtual Care for Individuals with Disabilities in a Rural or Urban Area of Alberta

Inclusion criteria:

To join this study, you need to meet these requirements:


(1) Age 65 or Older: Older adults are the focus of this study as they are more likely to face mobility challenges, health-related disabilities, and limited access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. This age group is also a key demographic for virtual care (VC) interventions aimed at improving healthcare accessibility.

(2) At Least One Identified Disability: The study specifically addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities, as they often encounter additional barriers to healthcare, such as usability and accessibility issues with technology.

(3) Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairments: Participants will be screened using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) to ensure they can comprehend and respond to interview and survey questions. This criterion ensures data quality while including individuals who might benefit significantly from VC.

(4) Residence in Rural or Urban Areas: To compare VC adoption and sustained use across geographic contexts, half of the participants will be recruited from rural areas and half from urban areas. This allows for a detailed examination of location-specific factors affecting VC use.

(5) Gender and Race Balance: Ensuring diversity in the sample supports equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility (EDIA), making the findings more generalizable and relevant to a wide range of individuals.

If you meet these requirements, we’d love to hear from you!