Date of Conferral

12-16-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Naomi DeShore

Abstract

Telehealth has emerged as a transformative approach to healthcare delivery, particularly for populations facing geographic, financial, and mobility-related barriers. In rural communities such as Sumter, South Carolina, seniors 50 and older continue to experience challenges in accessing timely care, including limited transportation, provider shortages, digital illiteracy, and financial constraints. Conducted by Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (ABMHSU), this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven seniors in Sumter to understand how telehealth influences engagement in healthcare. This study was guided by three research questions (RQ) that examined seniors’ experiences using ABMHSU, focusing on predisposing factors, enabling resources, and perceived needs. Data were collected through semistructured Zoom interviews and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Sixteen themes emerged across the three RQ, illustrating both the benefits and limitations of telehealth. RQ1 revealed six themes, with convenience as the most significant. RQ2 identified five themes, notably transportation barriers. RQ3 exposed five themes, with digital literacy as a key factor. While seniors valued the convenience and reduced travel, concerns persisted about the use of technology, the impersonality of virtual interactions, and the adequacy of diagnostic tools. Access was further shaped by financial resources, provider availability, and social support systems. Findings underscore the importance of digital literacy initiatives, age-friendly platforms, and empathetic provider communication. The study’s implications for positive social change include advancing equitable, person-centered healthcare strategies that reflect the needs of older adults in underserved communities.

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