Why is a match between citizen (patient) and technology important? A framework for assessment
The overall disease picture in the population is changing. This development requires restructuring, so the healthcare system targets its efforts to a greater extent than before to help the individual citizen (patient) deal with their everyday life with an illness. As part of the restructuring process, the healthcare system uses new technology in care and treatment and involves the knowledge and competencies of citizens (patients) more actively.
A match must be made
However – in order for the citizen (patient) to actually achieve the benefits of new technology in healthcare, it is important that you as a healthcare professional can create the right match between citizen (patient) and technology. To ensure a match, an assessment needs to be made.
Framework for assessment
You will now be presented with a framework on how to make an assessment between citizen (patient) and technology. The framework consists of the following 5 elements:
- The knowledge, resources and limitations of the citizen (patient)
- What are the physical settings in which the technology must operate?
- The options and limitations of technology
- The professional purpose of the technology
- How technology changes daily workflows and tasks
Source / References
- DigiS https://www.digis.dk/
How to use the framework for assessment
You can use this framework as a guideline when you consider using technology with a particular citizen (patient). The framework is meant to help you in considering several aspects of the citizen’s (patient’s) situation; how can the use of technology affect their treatment as well as your workflow as a healthcare professional?
Performing an assessment of this kind may help you in making a decision.
1: The knowledge, resources and limitations of the citizen (patient)
Always consider and test the level of digital literacy of the citizen (patient) when you match them with a technology. You may be surprised by their competency levels.
Citizens’ (patients’) knowledge, resources and limitations
In order to examine resources and limitations, a number of methods are used, depending on the healthcare measures in question. In most cases, you will use a combination of:
- Observations
- Questions – structured according to a schedule or semi-structured
- Professional studies and tests
Investigate: What is the value of the technology?
What will citizens (patients) gain from using the technology? Ask citizens (patients) about the possibilities and limitations of the technology. Get an insight on what is important to them:
- Ask directly: What is important to you?
- Familiarize yourself with citizens’ (patients’) encounter with the healthcare system.
- Consider where the introduction and use of technology could be of benefit to the citizen (patient).
- Discuss whether or not including technology would be helpful.
Source / References
- The DELIVER project
- DigiS https://www.digis.dk/
- Dansk Selskab for Patientsikkerhed
- https://patientsikkerhed.dk/english/
- Region of Southern Denmark
- HR management academy
Tools
The following tools may guide you in learning more about what is important to the citizen (patient), their experiences with the healthcare system and what would be helpful to them. Click on each tool to learn more about it.
PDF:
2: What are the physical settings in which the technology must operate?
Using technology for e.g. home monitoring requires access to the internet as well as digital devices. Check out the simple and practical conditions first.
Investigate the physical setting of the citizen (patient)
Examining the physical environment of a citizen (patient) depends on whether you as a healthcare professional have access to the citizen’s (patient’s) home (or other context where the technology is to be used). Knowledge can be obtained by:
- Observing in their home – if possible
- Questions
- Information from relatives
Dilemma film: How do I assess whether home monitoring is the best solution?
This case example touches upon the assessment of whether or not home monitoring is the best solution and challenges that may arise when attempting to implement this.
Go to the dilemma film to learn more about this subject.
Source / References
- DigiS https://www.digis.dk/
3: The options and limitations of technology
What are options and limitations of the technology to be considered – and how do you assess these?
In order to identify the options and limitations of a given technology for a particular citizen (patient), you must familiarize yourself with the technology’s specifications.
This requires:
- That you have tried the technology, preferably on your own body – if possible
- That you have practiced using the technology alone or together with colleagues
- That you have looked into what the technology requires of the citizen (patient) (physical, cognitive, psychological, motivation, etc.)
TIP: To be able to guide a citizen (patient) in the use of a specific technology, it is important to have an insight of its options and limitations. Use a personal approach in presenting the technology.
Source / References
Questions for reflection
In your work, how (if that is the case for you) are you expected to familiarize yourself with new technology?
E.g. through meetings, structured learning etc.
Are you satisfied with this method?
What are ways to familiarize yourself with technology used in your work?
4: The professional purpose of the technology
What purpose does the technology fulfill? It is important to explain why the technology should be used and define its purpose, especially to the citizen (patient).
The professional purpose of the technology
It can be important early in the assessment process to involve the citizen (patient) in the considerations of using technology. In order to define the professional purpose of introducing a technology to citizens (patients), one must consider the following:
- Whether the technology replaces and/or supplements previous services
- What the citizen (patient) gains by using the technology?
- What the healthcare professional gets out of using the technology
- Whether there can be other gains from using the technology
Source / References
Questions for reflection
How do you explain the technology and its purpose to citizens (patients)? Use specific examples from your work, if possible.
What are possible challenges in explaining the technology and its purpose to citizens?
5: How technology changes daily workflows and tasks
Technology changes the way you work, your mind-set and your work culture. In order to embrace technology, please consider the following.
In order to get the full benefit of a technology, one must make it clear which previous workflows and tasks are being changed and in what way. Here you can e.g. use:
- Description of before and after scenarios, e.g. flowcharts, which provide a visual overview of workflows before and after the introduction of technology
- Description of roles and tasks for the employees who must use the new technology (who is responsible for screening, instruction, maintenance, support, etc.)
It is helpful if you have already familiarized yourself with the technology. This means that you:
- Have tried using the technology, preferably on your own body – if possible
- Have practiced using the technology alone or together with colleagues
- Have considered what the technology requires of the citizen (patient) (physical, cognitive, psychological, motivation, etc.)
Dilemma film: The balance between technology and people
This case example touches upon the balance between technology and people and different perspectives on the use of technology of healthcare.
Go to the dilemma film to learn more about this subject.
Meeting guide for Reflection Meeting
This tool is meant to help you, as a team, reflect on the pros and cons of implementing and working with digital technologies on a daily basis.
