Digital skills training in care homes: achievement

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Digital Health
• Care Home Innovation

Background:

• Implementing digital skills training (DST) is crucial for culture change in care settings.
• Bridging the digital divide among elderly residents and care staff requires targeted interventions.
• Information technology (IT) champions can facilitate digital adoption within healthcare environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of DST for staff and residents in a Glasgow care home.
• To evaluate the successes and challenges of DST from the perspective of IT champions.
• To assess the impact of DST on staff and resident digital literacy and engagement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a mixed-methods approach involving IT champions' reports, questionnaires, and interviews.
• Documented the initial DST period and conducted a 18-month follow-up on IT activities.
• Focused on the experiences of two volunteer staff members serving as IT champions.

Main Results:

• DST presented both successes and challenges for staff and residents.
• IT champions identified key gains and obstacles during the training implementation.
• Sustained IT activities were observed 18 months post-introduction, indicating lasting impact.

Conclusions:

• Digital skills training can be effectively implemented in care homes to enhance digital literacy.
• The role of IT champions is vital for overcoming barriers and promoting digital inclusion.
• Culture change initiatives incorporating DST can lead to sustained improvements in technology adoption among residents and staff.