For better or worse? The up-skilling-, re-skilling- and de-skilling of work practices through welfare technology in the eldercare frontline (FRONT)
Short description
Challenges with retaining eldercare employees is a well-known problem impacting continuity for eldercare recipients, employees, organization, and society. Welfare technology usage might be useful in relation to bridge the lack of continuity. Yet, broad implementation of welfare technology requires extensive development. Processes of up-, re-, and de-skilling of work will occur for different jobs and groups. The purpose is to increase knowledge about the relationship between up-, re-, and de-skilling and use of welfare technology to support
continuity for eldercare recipients and employees in Swedish eldercare
Data and method
The project has a mixed method design, starting with a qualitative multiple case study conducting photoelicitation and focus groups with eight teams of eldercare employees. Study 1 will generate hypotheses tested in a quantitative survey distributed to a random sample (n=5000) of Swedish eldercare employees. Gained knowledge from this will be used in small-scale collaborative intervention study with key persons.
Relevance and utilisation
Results will develop theories on how welfare technology impact equality and working conditions in eldercare, in relation to up-, re-, de-skilling and polarization. A better understanding of what impact technology has on quality and work processes will gain continued improvements of continuity of care. And, for policymakers who need to
make wise decisions to develop eldercare for the future.
Plan for project realisation
Study 1 (year 1) och 3 (year 3) will be performed in collaboration with the municipalities City of Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Nyköping and Ängelholm. The survey will be distributed 2023 and 2025. A reference group consisting of representatives from the municipalities, union, politicians and eldercare recipients will contribute with their experiences during the project.