Experiences of health and social professionals using care technologies with older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

ObjectiveTo investigate the perceptions and experiences of health and social care professionals concerning the use of technology for the care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design and measuresA phenomenological qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design using semi-structured interviews.SampleTwenty Spanish health and social care workers in six Spanish cities between February and July 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic care workers have become more familiar with technology devices, but they also recognize certain barriers for the implementation of technology, mainly in nursing homes and homecare, related to concerns of lack of humanization and difficulties in accessing and using these devices.ConclusionPoliticians and social and healthcare managers should be aware of the benefits of techno-care, reducing the difficulties in implementing it and making more funding and further training available to care providers.

Automated summary

This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of health and social care professionals regarding the use of technology for the care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that while care workers have become more familiar with technology devices, there are still barriers to implementing technology in nursing homes and homecare, mainly related to concerns about lack of humanization and difficulties in accessing and using these devices.