Effectiveness research on a digital engagement platform in long- term care on informal and formal caregivers
The increasingly aging population and the associated increase in mental and physical limitations of residents in nursing homes pose major challenges for nursing staff. According to estimates, around 42.000 additional caregivers will be needed in Austria by 2030 to maintain the current standard of care. At the same time, a significant decline in informal care and support services can be observed. As a result, care concepts that are based on normal everyday life can often only be implemented to a limited extent.
Digital technologies are becoming increasingly important in supporting formal and informal caregivers in the delivery of person-centred care. The potential of such technologies in long-term care has so far been explored only to a limited extent.
Against this background, the EngageLTCdigital project, conducted by the University of Applied Health Sciences Upper Austria in collaboration with the start-up company PflegeZeit – Den Menschen sehen GmbH, investigates the impact of a digital activation platform on informal and formal caregivers in long-term care. The aim is to examine whether the use of the platform over a period of twelve weeks leads to changes in person-centred care (primary outcome), as well as in cultural sensitivity, user experiences, intensity of use, and the expansion of biographical data in everyday care practice (secondary outcomes).
A multicentre, open-label, quasi-experimental pre-post study with a control group will be conducted to evaluate the intervention. The intervention group will use the activation platform as part of routine care over a period of three months. The platform provides individualised activation and engagement activities based on the residents’ interests, needs, and biographical information. The control group will receive usual care during the same period without access to the platform.
The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the contribution of digital technologies to person-centred care in long-term care settings.
FAIR Data Statement
The study received a positive evaluation and approval from the Institutional Ethics Board (IEB) of the University of Applied Health Sciences Upper Austria. In addition, the study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07780071). Upon completion of the study and publication of the results, the study data will be made available to the scientific community via ClinicalTrials.gov.
The Austrian FFG is the national funding agency for business-oriented research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby enhancing competitiveness on the global market.
Funding scheme: FFG Impact Innovation
