87New Technologies Supporting Patient Reablement, Wellness Monitoring and Staff Professionalism

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to identify and validate the requirements for new technology to support patient reablement, wellness monitoring and staff professionalism. This study is being undertaken at a Dublin based post-acute care service for older adults. Technology will be developed for patients and nursing/care staff. Method(s): This research adopts a stakeholder evaluation approach to requirements elicitation and design. The first phase of research has involved documentation analysis, staff observations (ten half days, elapsing over 5 weeks) and interviews with nursing/care staff (N = 20) and patients (N = 11). The second phase of research is underway. Early stage prototypes of several new technologies have been advanced. Co-design/evaluation activities (involving individual sessions and group workshops) are being undertaken with patients and staff. This study has ethics approval from (1) the Institutional Review Board, Mater Hospital and (2) the Ethics Committee, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Result(s): Wellness management should consider a patient's biological, psychological and social health. The technology should enable nursing/care staff to, (1) support and monitor patient wellness and reablement (in line with their care plan), (2) action, monitor/evaluate and report on care responses pertaining to patient wellness and reablement, (3) obtain a realtime picture of the patient's care status, ability and risk, (4) communicate with other care team members, patients and families and (5) manage workload. Several early stage technology concepts have been proposed for patients and nursing/care staff. This includes a patient experience application, nurse and carer rounding applications, a wall mounted display, and an interactive whiteboard. Conclusion(s): It is anticipated that future digital transformation will enhance patient experience and wellness, along with improving staff professionalism.