Technology Supporting Nursing at Homecare - Seems to Be Lacking

Area of Science:

• Healthcare technology adoption
• Digital health and homecare
• User-centered technology design

Background:

• Historically, medical technologies were designed for hospital environments.
• Digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming societal structures, impacting healthcare delivery.
• Welfare technologies in the home setting are gaining prominence in healthcare discussions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing user intent to adopt new welfare technologies for homecare.
• To examine the adoption of welfare technologies through the lens of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Main Methods:

• The study applied the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework.
• Analysis focused on user perceptions and behavioral intentions regarding welfare technology adoption in homecare settings.

Main Results:

• Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions were identified as significant determinants of user intention to use welfare technologies.
• Despite growing attention, the actual use of welfare technologies in homecare remains infrequent.

Conclusions:

• Understanding user-centric factors is crucial for successful implementation of welfare technologies in homecare.
• Targeted interventions addressing performance, effort, and support conditions can enhance technology adoption in homecare settings.
• Further research is needed to bridge the gap between intent and actual utilization of welfare technologies in the home environment.