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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jan Healey, Dr Vanessa DaveyORCiD, Dr Jenny LiddleORCiD, Professor Barbara HanrattyORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© The Author(s) 2024.Objective: Using digital systems to support the management and delivery of social care is a priority for UK governments. This study explored progress towards, and experiences of, digitalisation in the homecare sector and providers’ views on contributing client data to a national policy/research dataset. Methods: Over 150 UK homecare providers completed an on-line survey (October–December 2022). The survey was hosted on Qualtrics and comprised fixed- and free-text response questions. The recruited sample aligned with the profile of UK homecare providers in terms of use of digital systems, organisation type and size. Results: Almost all respondents (95.5%) were using digital systems, in part or exclusively, to support care delivery. However, many (42.7%) reported a desire to further digitalise or a dissatisfaction with existing systems. Findings highlight the time and work involved in choosing a a software system, with the decision regarded as relatively high risk. Over 50 different software systems were being used across the sample. Most respondents (72.5%) supported the creation of a national dataset on homecare users. However, support and recompense are likely to needed to secure buy-in from what is a predominantly private sector context. Conclusions: Findings suggest a complex and changing situation, with numerous different digital systems being used and the sector at different stages of digitalisation. The high-pressure, low margin context of UK homecare appeared to be exerting an influence on progress towards digitalisation. Evaluations of government strategies to stimulate and support digitalisation in this diverse and predominantly private sector context will be valuable.
Author(s): Healey J, Davey V, Liddle J, O'Rourke G, Hanratty B, Beresford B
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Digital Health
Year: 2024
Volume: 10
Online publication date: 22/05/2024
Acceptance date: 01/05/2024
Date deposited: 03/06/2024
ISSN (print): 2055-2076
ISSN (electronic): 2055-2076
Publisher: Sage Publications Inc.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241255477
DOI: 10.1177/20552076241255477
Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (BB) upon reasonable request.
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