JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Older people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, which can lead to ill health, both mentally and physically. Information and communication technology (ICT) can supplement health and social care and improve health for the vulnerable aged population. When ICT is used specifically for communication with others, it is associated with reduced loneliness in older populations. The research is sparse on how the implementation of ICT, used specifically for communication between older people in social services, can be performed. It is recommended to consider determinants of implementation, i.e., barriers and facilitators of implementation. Determinants related to older people using ICT tools are reported in several studies. To our knowledge, studies investigating determinants related to the social services perspective are lacking.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of implementing the Fik@ room, a new, co-designed and research-based ICT tool for social interaction between older people, from a social services personnel perspective.

Methods:

This study used an exploratory qualitative design. An ICT tool called the Fik@ room was tested in an intervention study year 2021 in two medium-sized municipalities in the middle of Sweden. Informants in the present study were municipal social services personnel with experiences of implementing this specific ICT tool in social services. A participatory workshop consisting of two parts was performed with nine informants divided into two groups. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results:

The results included seven categories of determinants for implementing the ICT tool. Being able to introduce the ICT tool in an appropriate manner concerns personnel’s options for introducing and supporting the ICT tool, including their competencies in using digital equipment. Organizational structure concerns a structure for communication within the organization. Leadership concerns engagement and enthusiasm as driving forces for implementation. The digital maturity of the social services personnel concerns personnel’s skills and attitudes toward using digital equipment. Resources concern time and money. Information technology support concerns accessibility, and entails legal liability concerns possibilities to fulfill legal responsibilities.

Conclusions:

The results show that implementation involves an entire organization to varying degrees. Regardless of how much each level within the organization comes into direct contact with the ICT tool, all levels need to be involved to create the necessary conditions for successful implementation. The prerequisites for the implementation of an ICT tool will probably change depending on the digital maturity of future generations. Since this study only included nine informants the results should be handled with care. The study was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic which has probably affected the results.