Research reveals people ’ s top priorities for technology enabled care
Above : An OT from Wiltshire Council discusses TEC with a resident
A study examining what people really want from digital care services and devices has identified the nine things they value most , but don ’ t always get .
Social policy researcher , Dr Sarah Alden , examined over 100 sources of evidence and conducted nearly 50 interviews and focus groups with people , families and unpaid carers , exploring the different ways they use technology to support their lives .
The research was commissioned by the TEC Action Alliance , a group of around 30 care organisations , including the Local Government Association , Care England , Homecare Association and the TEC Services Association ( TSA ), whose aim is to put the voice of people , families and unpaid carers centre stage when technology enabled care services and solutions are developed .
The Alliance commissioned the research for its latest report , Implementing TEC so we can all live gloriously ordinary lives , because most previous studies in this area include views from care staff and care organisations , rather than people who draw on care and support themselves .
The research showed that people want nine main things from technology enabled care :
• Awareness : to know more about the ways in which technology can meet their needs .
• Independence : devices and systems that support them to do more for themselves .
• Control : to maintain control over care technology , wherever possible .
• Reassurance : peace of mind for themselves and their families through connected technology .
• Seamlessness : technology that is joined-up and compatible with familiar devices .
• Personalisation : technology to be tailored to their needs and offer them genuine choice .
• Equal decision-making : A say in the design and functionality of their care technology .
• Support : help , advice and training if they struggle to access or adopt technology .
• Privacy and security : reassurance around online safety and autonomy over their data .
The TEC Action Alliance is calling on all local authority social care commissioners and housing providers , whenever they procure TEC contracts , to ensure suppliers respond to the nine ‘ What people want from TEC ’ principles in their bids . The report also identifies the need for a common language to describe all types of TEC . Currently , commissioners , service providers and suppliers use different terms , often with technical phrases . Replacing this with a set of easy-tounderstand definitions , recognised and used by everyone would support more people , families , health and social care professionals to understand and find suitable digital care , the Alliance says .
Download the TEC Action Alliance action paper at https :// bit . ly / 3PAq7wZ .
Your opportunity to create a culture of continuous improvement
Research and innovation are everybody ’ s business , and RCOT ’ s plan is to launch a new Research and Innovation Strategy in Spring 2025 . We ’ re bringing together our previously separate strategies for both research and development , and data and innovation , to demonstrate how these complement each other to drive our profession forward and build growth opportunities .
This strategy will align with our strategic priorities – Rise up , Open up , Lift up and Build up – and with current allied health professions research and innovation strategies in the UK . We are running a series of national online strategy shaping workshops for you to give us your views . All workshops will be held online via Zoom .
We know that people from marginalised groups face additional challenges in being involved in research and developing their research careers , so we ’ d particularly welcome people from diverse backgrounds to join us .
For information on the next workshop dates visit https :// bit . ly / 3J6V1d2 .
10 OTnews April 2024