Digital Equity in Care
The King’s Fund have released some outputs this week based on research they carried out to support Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to understand the risks and challenges that digital technologies and their implementation can have on care experiences, outcomes and inequalities.
The research found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, health and care services have increased their use of digital technology and that this will continue to intensify over the coming years. They estimate that 14 million people in England have the lowest digital capability which means they do not have access or the confidence to use a digital device by themselves.
They spoke to individuals with lived experiences, as well as health and care providers, to understand what this means for them. They found that digital needs vary widely and can be different for different services. In some cases, people were happy to use digital technologies but services were unable to meet their needs. In other cases, people were unable to use digital technologies but keen to learn. There were also cases where digital technologies were simply not right for that person.
They have developed three outputs from the research that will help to prevent digital exclusion:
- Make sure people have the skills and knowledge to use digital services.
This can include training people using language and information that is helpful to them. It can include training on specific needs the person has that will support them to harness technology safely and effectively.
- Designing services that meets peoples needs and works for them.
People’s needs change so its impossible to assume that digital services will always work for them. Understanding people’s changing needs can lead to different digital options. For example, a person-centred approach that asks the person for their input could help to see if a specific technology works for them.
- Making sure there is consistency across services.
Inconsistencies in how digital technologies are used can cause confusion and frustration. Working in partnership with other organisations can ensure a consistent approach to digital exclusion and allow for sharing of best practice to make services more inclusive.
You can read the full report here.