Fostering Technology Solutions for Palliative Care in Australian Aged Care Facilities

Australian nurses working in residential aged care facilities are seeking technology solutions to enhance their ability to provide quality palliative care to residents. A recent study conducted by researchers from Flinders University delved into the attitudes and expectations of nurses from 15 aged care facilities regarding the use of technology in end-of-life care.

Key Findings

The study, published in the journal BMC Nursing, revealed that aged care nurses encounter practical challenges when utilizing technology in residential homes. Navigating multiple fragmented digital systems, such as medication management portals, incident reporting systems, and clinical documentation platforms, leads to duplicated data entry and increased workloads. Poor interoperability among these systems was identified as a significant issue.

Despite these obstacles, nurses expressed a willingness to embrace digital technologies, recognizing their value in palliative care. They emphasized the importance of technologies that support symptom assessment, continuous monitoring of residents’ conditions, and consolidated dashboards for tracking residents’ decline. Nurses also acknowledged the potential benefits of leveraging automation in error-prone areas like medication administration and documentation.

The study highlighted a gap in digital skills among nurses, particularly in managing telehealth sessions, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in aged care settings.

Significance of the Study

Lead author Dr. Priyanka Vandersman emphasized the critical role of technology in end-of-life care, especially considering that over a third of Australian deaths occur in residential aged care facilities. The study underscored the importance of developing user-friendly technologies that seamlessly integrate into existing systems to address nurses’ challenges effectively. Engaging nurses in the design and testing of technology solutions was recommended, along with creating digital tools that require minimal cognitive effort for optimal use.

Furthermore, the study authors emphasized the potential for technology to facilitate personalized end-of-life care by reducing task burdens and fostering interpersonal caregiving. Providing nurses with adequate training and support in using digital tools, including telehealth, is essential to ensure high-quality, person-centered care.

Government Initiatives

The Australian government is committed to reforming the aged care sector, including technological advancements. A$1.4 billion ($1 billion) has been allocated in this year’s budget for upgrading technology and digital infrastructure in alignment with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy outlines goals for secure data use, sharing, and foundational digital initiatives, including virtual nursing, AI pilots, and virtual reality trials.

Overall, by developing intuitive digital solutions and providing nurses with the necessary support and education, technology can complement compassionate caregiving in aged care facilities, enhancing residents’ quality of life in their final stages.