Examining care aides' perspectives and attitudes towards the adoption and sustainment of technology in care delivery: a scoping review.

Abstract

Care aides deliver the majority of hands-on care in long-term care facilities. Despite this involvement in care, a paucity of research explores their perspectives and attitudes regarding the introduction and implementation of healthcare technology. This scoping review examined and synthesised available evidence regarding care aides' perspectives and attitudes towards healthcare technology and factors that may influence its adoption and sustainment. Literature published within the past 22 years that examines care aides' perspectives and attitudes towards the use of technology in care delivery across any setting. CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, PROSPERO, Web of Science, which includes ProQuest Dissertation & Theses and JBI Evidence-Based Practice databases were searched using keywords (Care, Care Aides, Caregiver, Carer, Innovation, Nursing Assistant, Support Worker, Technology) for publications in any language. Grey literature, review articles and websites were also searched. The Joanna Briggs Institute method guided this scoping review. The search results were exported into a literature management tool for screening and analysis. Two authors undertook article screening. A framework for evaluating barriers and facilitators to innovation implementation and an innovation theory outlining the steps involved in innovation uptake guided the data analysis. After exclusions, 17 sources from 5 countries were included. One source was written in French, and the other 16 were in English. Settings ranged from home care, an academic medical centre, residential care facilities and a hospital. Findings suggest that care aides are open to technology when it supports workflow, improves care delivery, adequate training and support are provided, and they are involved in implementation. Adequate training can provide information about opportunities and challenges, facilitate clarity, a positive attitude, address misconceptions and negative attitudes care aides may have toward technology. The limited available evidence suggests modifiable factors that might influence the uptake and implementation of healthcare technology from care aides' perspectives. Further research exploring care aides' attitudes towards health technology and their role in implementation is needed.