Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of using Assistive Technologies in Nursing Homes

Abstract Assistive technologies and person-centred practices are emerging as essential strategies in Western healthcare programs to address the future care needs of people with dementia. Notably, the distinct roles of assistive technologies and healthcare personnel in implementing person-centred practices within nursing homes have received minimal attention. Thus, the present study aims to explore how healthcare personnel experiences the use of assistive technologies within nursing homes for the purpose of supporting person-centred practice. A qualitative approach was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 healthcare personnel from two nursing homes in Norway. A combination of deductive and inductive analysis was used and was guided by the affordance actualization theory. Use of assistive technologies in person-centred practice required a high degree of individual awareness, knowledge, judgement and actions, and depended on residents’ varying cognitive state and interests. The process of realizing potential benefits from assistive technologies was influenced by healthcare personnel's skills, interests, and attitudes, alongside workplace-related factors such as human resources, available technologies, daily routines, and technological fit with residents, and perceived functionality and usability of the assistive technologies. Our results suggest a need for better management practices regarding the information and training of healthcare personnel, assignment of responsibilities, and establishment of formal routines to enhance collective awareness and goal-directed actions in utilizing technology effectively in the two nursing homes. Additionally, assistive technologies in nursing homes should be better tailored to residents with dementia. We believe these insights can contribute to the development and implementation of assistive technologies for individuals with dementia and support technology-driven person-centred practices in nursing homes. Key messages • Fostering person-centred practices, through the use of assistive technologies, requires the establishment of person-centred cultures at both systemic and team levels. • It is essential to collaborate with healthcare personnel in the development of assistive technologies tailored for use in nursing homes and for individuals with dementia.