Can Technology Use Alleviate Workforce Needs in Finnish Assisted Living Services? A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of...

Workforce needs are growing in older people care, exacerbated by the aging population. Technological solutions offer potential means to address this challenge. However, their effects on work and worktime management remain unclear, especially in the setting of assisted living services. Our aim was to assess the potential of two established technologies, automatic medicine dispensing and night-time monitoring, in alleviating workforce needs in Finnish assisted living facilities.

The effects of the two technologies on workforce needs were studied using a convergent mixed-methods design, incorporating quantitative time and motion analysis and qualitative analysis of two open-ended survey questions. Linear regression analysis and data-driven thematic analysis were employed. The quantitative and qualitative results were integrated and compared afterward.

Our quantitative results indicated that medicine dispensing technology can streamline medicine management and administration, but effects on direct care time were not found. Use of night-time monitoring technology was associated with more direct care during nights and reduced nightly staffing. The qualitative analysis highlighted medicine dispensers freeing up time for other work and night-time monitoring reducing the need for nightly rounds. However, several technology-related problems and a loss of medication competencies were perceived. Our results converged on several positive workforce effects, notably optimizing medication management and promoting individualized care during nights.

Technology use could be promoted in assisted living services, when it demonstrably streamlines care work, increases work efficiency, allows for reduced staffing, or promotes individualized and patient-centered care. National care policy can incentivize the use of similar technologies, for example, through staffing level legislation. However, care unit management should prepare for potential technology-related errors and acute emergencies by upkeeping both technology and medication competencies of nurses and ensuring the presence of sufficient staff. Importantly, the potential efficiency gains must not come at the expense of quality or safety of care.