JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The ongoing demographic development increases the relevance of dignified aging across Europe. Community-based health care (CBHC) organizations are necessary to provide sustainable strategies for organizing care for older persons in need of support (OPINS). To support the digitalization of these organizations new business models and suitable web-platforms are necessary.

Objective:

The study, which was part of the European Active and Assisted Living (AAL) project called 'anonymous' project, aims to explore concepts, approaches, and workflows of CBHC organizations to achieve a comprehensive understanding of already existing offered services and requirements and to support these services with ICT solutions exemplified in two European countries (Switzerland, Slovenia).

Methods:

A qualitative study with six focus groups (FGs) with 40 participants was conducted in Switzerland and Slovenia to identify potential stakeholders’ needs and requirements for the user-centered development of a web-platform. Data were collected from three different stakeholder perspectives: a) OPINS as care receivers, b) their significant others (SOs), and c) managers or care providers of CBHC organizations, by using a semi-structured interview guide with open questions. FGs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used, and user stories were retrieved to identify the technical requirements.

Results:

By analyzing the transcripts five main categories were identified: 1) cooperatives as organizational form and service provider, 2) rationales of community-based health care organizations, 3) challenges in the usage of web-platforms, 4) ICT-usage behavior, and 5) technical and content requirements. The main issues were the need for seniors’ individual contact with the organization and the possibility to coordinate routine services via the web-platform, like ordering meals on wheels or booking a person to accompany someone to the doctor.

Conclusions:

A majority of the participants showed a lack of familiarity with the usage of ICT. Nevertheless, they are open-minded regarding web-platform usage to facilitate and benefit from community-based health care organizations and recognize benefits. Cooperatives as an organizational form indicate a high potential to address users’ needs. Therefore, the web-platform offers an essential tool for innovative healthcare models in the future. Searching for care services, contacting care providers, as well as communicating with care providers is preferred via personal contact and seems to be the key element of user acceptance and for the successful implementation of a web-platform like anonymous to support CBHC organizations. Clinical Trial: none