Use welfare technology in homecare – A positive expectation of the benefits of technology

Authors

• Eija Kivekäs Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio
• Heli Kekäläinen Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio
• Minna Kaija-Kortelainen Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio
• Anu Kinnunen Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio
• Pauliina Kämäräinen City of Kuopio, Kuopio
• Veijo Aallosvirta Savo Vocational College, Kuopio
• Kaija Saranto Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.94782

Keywords:

technology [http://www.yso.fi/onto/yso/p2339], homecare, acceptance [http://www.yso.fi/onto/yso/p10361], attitude, education

Abstract

Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) have changed the structure of our society. This structural change continuously has effect on job descriptions of the healthcare sector. The main challenges in the launch and use of technology is in the lack of usability, inadequate communication between participants and poorly resourced implementation processes. Competence need is affected by internal changes in the operating environments of professions that arise from the knowledge base of the professions. The patients’ freedom of choice means the patients’ right to choose where to get their health and social services. It creates external expectations for professional competence. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology explain the degree of acceptance of the use of welfare information technology. The theory assesses whether the user will be able to accept these new technologies and user’s ability to concern it. Information was collected on the expectations and benefits that welfare technology is expected to bring to the daily lives of older people at home and as homecare clients. The study seeks to answer the question: How do social and healthcare students and professionals view the use of welfare technology in homecare? The data collection was carried out in connection with the training of the WelTech project (Wellbeing technology education product: introduction and training). The project was launched to develop welfare technology training courses for social and healthcare. The results show a positive attitude towards welfare technology although participants do not think that the use of welfare technology has been encouraged in the organization. Participants estimate that welfare technology will make work more efficient although it was not expected to have a positive effect on more concrete effects, such as reducing errors or improving quality. Based on the participants, there is no clear support in the social and healthcare organizations for the implementation and development of welfare technology.