Kokorelias Kristina M, Grigorovich Alisa, D'Elia Teresa, Astell Arlene, McMurray Josephine, Iaboni Andrea
Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
PLoS One. 2025 May 30;20(5):e0319005. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319005. eCollection 2025.
The Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT) project developed DIT-Tech, a tablet-based tool to engage residents. Implementing such technology faces challenges like digital literacy and organizational resistance. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the staff, resident and care partner experiences, including barriers and facilitators to the adoption of remote-access personal tablets in long-term care homes (LTCHs).
Guided by the FITT framework, which emphasizes the alignment between technology, users, and clinical activities, this investigation sought to uncover the obstacles and drivers influencing the integration of DIT-Tech within the LTCH setting. Recruitment involved voluntary participation of various stakeholders within the LTCHs: 20 staff members, 23 care partners, and 7 residents who received the DIT-Tech tablets. Purposeful selection ensured representation across demographics and levels of tablet usage. Over the research period, a total of 59 in-depth interviews were conducted via telephone or video calls. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Coding strategies, incorporating both inductive and deductive approaches, were employed.
The study highlighted pivotal factors in DIT-Tech implementation within LTCHs. Initial enthusiasm among staff and care partners was countered by staff resistance due to workload and past tech issues. Personalization benefited residents but usability challenges and poor integration posed barriers. Aligning tech with organizational goals is crucial. Privacy measures were valued. Care partners and residents embraced DIT-Tech, emphasizing the need for targeted support for staff.
These findings stress the necessity of robust guidelines for implementing remote-controlled tablets in LTCHs, providing vital insights for enhancing technology in care settings.
痴呆症隔离工具包（DIT）项目开发了DIT-Tech，这是一种基于平板电脑的工具，用于吸引居民参与。实施此类技术面临数字素养和组织阻力等挑战。本研究旨在了解工作人员、居民和护理伙伴的体验，包括在长期护理机构（LTCH）中采用远程访问个人平板电脑的障碍和促进因素。
在强调技术、用户和临床活动之间一致性的FITT框架的指导下，本调查旨在揭示影响DIT-Tech在LTCH环境中整合的障碍和驱动因素。招募工作涉及LTCH内各利益相关者的自愿参与：20名工作人员、23名护理伙伴以及7名接收了DIT-Tech平板电脑的居民。有目的的选择确保了不同人口统计学特征和不同平板电脑使用水平的代表性。在研究期间，通过电话或视频通话共进行了59次深入访谈。数据收集和分析同时进行。采用了结合归纳法和演绎法的编码策略。
该研究突出了LTCH中DIT-Tech实施的关键因素。工作人员和护理伙伴最初的热情因工作量和过去的技术问题导致的工作人员抵触而受到影响。个性化对居民有益，但可用性挑战和整合不佳构成了障碍。使技术与组织目标保持一致至关重要。隐私措施受到重视。护理伙伴和居民接受了DIT-Tech，强调需要为工作人员提供有针对性的支持。
这些发现强调了在LTCH中实施远程控制平板电脑的强有力指导方针的必要性，为改善护理环境中的技术提供了重要见解。
