What does digital participation mean?
digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in our society. Especially since the corona pandemic, corresponding applications have experienced an upsurge in Germany. They are used to communicate, work, learn, consume and create.
Anyone who cannot participate in the digital world is disadvantaged in this society. These include in particular seniors and people with disabilities affected. But language barriers can also play a role.
By The concept of digital participation All people should be empowered to use digital technologies and access appropriate resources. It means that people have the necessary skills, knowledge, resources and access options to use devices such as computers and smartphones and the necessary applications.
To make this possible, Education and training programs important. In addition, hurdles must be removed and barrier-free offers created in order to be able to involve as many people as possible in digital offerings.
What opportunities does digitization in medicine offer seniors?
In principle, digitization helps to make healthcare for seniors more effective, accessible and personalized, which can ultimately lead to a better quality of life and health in old age. Promising opportunities arise as a result of:
- Telehealth: By telemedicine seniors can also receive medical advice and treatment from home, particularly if they have limited mobility or have difficulty visiting a doctor's office.
- Digital health records: Offers such as electronic health records And that E-prescription enable seniors and their doctors to easily access, share, and update medical information This makes it easier to coordinate medical care and reduces the risk of loss of information.
- Health apps: Health apps can help seniors monitor and improve their health status themselves. For example, they can help identify symptoms, improve mobility, or take medication.
- Care services: In addition to dedicated care apps (DiPA) that help older people in everyday life, there is, for example, the platform Marta, which places care workers for home use. This allows seniors to live longer in their own homes.
- Digital devices: By using wearables and other digital health devices, seniors can monitor their vital signs, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate. This data can help doctors identify potential health problems early on and respond appropriately.
- Social networks: Online platforms and social networks offer older people the opportunity to connect with their peers, share experiences and find social support, particularly when they have difficulty maintaining personal contacts due to mobility problems or geographical isolation.
What are the challenges associated with digital inclusion?
In addition to many benefits, digital inclusion also poses a number of critical challenges, particularly for seniors:
- Technological barriers: Many older people have limited experience using digital technologies such as computers, smartphones and tablets. The complexity of devices and applications can be a barrier to access and use.
- Digital literacy: Even when there is access to digital devices, seniors are often unable to use them effectively. Understanding software, apps and the Internet as well as the ability to navigate the digital space safely can be challenging.
- Accessible technology: Many digital platforms and applications are not barrier-free, which means that they can be difficult to use for older people with visual or hearing disabilities or motor disabilities.
- Costs and access: Access to digital devices and Internet connections can be a financial challenge when pensions are low. In this case, the costs of devices, Internet services and mobile phone contracts can hinder digital inclusion.
- Privacy and security: Seniors are considered particularly vulnerable to scams and online threats, such as phishing and identity theft. As a result, they often feel particularly insecure about revealing their personal information online.
- Social isolation and loneliness: When older people are unable to use digital technologies, they are quickly isolated from social interactions, particularly when friends and family live far away or personal interaction is limited.
Digital participation: study results
The “Initiative for All” surveys on the occasion of Digitaltags 1,000 people aged 16 and over every year to participate digitally in Germany. The survey shows that 51% of people fear that they will not be able to keep up with current technological developments. Still see 84% of respondents see digitization as an opportunity. These results clearly show that people are generally open to digital offerings, but would like more information.
Aktion Mensch also has a Study on digital participation published. The focus here was on people with disabilities. Various experts and those affected were interviewed for this purpose. The study concludes that the variety of digital work opportunities in particular offers great potential for inclusion. In addition the increased autonomy is welcomed which can go hand in hand with digital applications such as voice assistants. Barrier-free applications are the basic requirement for this.
Success story from Baden-Württemberg
The project Healthy aging @bw Is a Initiative of the State Institute for Communications (LFK) in Baden-Württemberg. The task is to educate older people about digital applications in healthcare.
For this purpose, close cooperation is being carried out with the Volkshochschulverband in Baden-Württemberg in order to educational events to organize. Interested seniors can also be trained as health ambassadors. Online and face-to-face workshops are also part of the project.
For example, Gesundaltern @bw has organized a week of action in Stuttgart. The results of the workshops and conferences suggest that technology can meaningfully support a self-determined life. But it is important to people to decide for yourself when to use digital offerings. In addition, low-threshold and easy-to-understand applications are the basis for public acceptance.
Tips for digital participation in your medical practice
The fastest way to make it easier for seniors to use digital services in their medical practice is also the easiest. Talk to your patientsto find out about individual problems.
If you don't have time in office hours, bid Feedback sheets , which can be filled out in the waiting room. This gives you valuable first-hand insights. This can be used, for example, to develop information flyers which patients can take home when needed.
Also the choice of a particularly user-friendly software Communicating with your patients can be an asset. Nelly Here is a good example. The web-based software does not require the installation of an app or other additional software. Patients only need a smartphone and are automatically guided through processes such as taking anamnesis or paying bills in accordance with data protection regulations. This is often no problem even for older people, as they have been accustomed to using QR codes since the corona pandemic at the latest.
External offers for digital participation in medical practices
Allow your practice staff to participate in Digital coaching training for older patients. In this way, medical professionals are not only made aware of typical difficulties, but also learn how to use digital services safely themselves.
In addition, group meetings or online forums are a good opportunity for older patients to network with each other and share experiences. A proactive note or appropriate information material in the waiting room helps to Create awareness of these offers.
You can also working with local senior citizens' organizations and share your findings from everyday practice. In this way, application-oriented workshops can be developed for older patients.
Conclusion: Seniors benefit from digitization
Digitalization brings many benefits for older patients. For example, telemedicine and e-prescriptions make it easier to communicate with the doctor. In addition, therapy-accompanying health apps or everyday aids such as magnification software provide the perfect basis for greater autonomy. Last but not least, the Internet contributes to easier networking and formation of interest groups. Yet there are many challenges.
Overcoming these hurdles in your medical practice requires a holistic strategy for digital participation. This includes training and support programs to increase digital literacy and the use of user-friendly technologies.
Now you too can create a digital workflow in your practice. Wir advise you without obligation and free of charge to your individual case!
The personal names used in this article always refer equally to all persons. Dual naming and alternate names are omitted in order to improve readability.
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