Digital welfare technology and the transformation of care work. New ways of working and leading in elderly care

Research problem and specific questions Digital welfare technologies (DWTs) are increasingly discussed and employed as a solution in response to societal challenges associated with an aging population and an increasingly resource-demanding care.

Although elderly care is in the process of digitization, there are few educational initiatives for care workers to learn how to use DWTs. There is also a widespread tech-resistance in elderly care.

The aim of the proposed study is to investigate how the practical use of DWTs in elderly care can be supported and organized in more efficient ways by asking three research questions: 1. How do care workers use DWTs in caring for elderly patients, and what skills are required? 2. How do care managers organize for the practical use of DWTs in the care of elderly patients? 3.

What are the differences and overlaps between the workers’ and managers’ experiences and expectations of DWTs, and how can these differences be bridged to enhance technology integration in the care work?

By exploring these questions, we want to contribute to knowledge that benefit care workers and care managers, which indirectly also effect the elder people in need of care.

Data and method The study design rests on two sets of related data collections: firstly, an ethnographic study of care workers and managers in care homes. Secondly, a microanalytic study with video as primary data.

This video-based ethnographic approach focus on “hot spots” of situations observed in study 1, such as care workers-usertechnology interaction and meetings between employees and employees and managers.

Societal relevance and utilisation Appropriate use of digital technology requires comprehensive changes in working methods and organization, and both scholars and governmental agencies are calling for the need to offer care workers knowledge and training in the use of new technologies.

The project´s primary target group is care workers and care managers who work with elderly people in nursing homes, but it is also relevant for stakeholders and decision makers in elderly care.

Plan for project realisation Contacts with relevant stakeholders and organizations within elderly care is already established through previous research projects. We begin by a literature review, and the field work is conducted during year 2-3. In total, 4 scientific articles is planned to be published.

Research communication is done through international conferences and existing research networks.