For better or worse? The up-skilling-, re-skilling- and de-skilling of work practices through welfare technology in the eldercare frontline (FRONT)

Research problem and specific questionsChallenges 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:RQ1 - What kinds of welfare technology that may support continuity of care is in practical use in Swedish eldercare, and what are the incentives for usage seen from the perspective of employees?

RQ2 - What is the association between welfare technology use and a) working conditions in terms of up-skilling, re-skilling and de-skilling, and b) health and retention among eldercare employees?

RQ3 - How can use of knowledge from RQ1 and RQ2 be used in future implementation of welfare technology that also support organizational learning and continuity and thus benefits a sustainable eldercare?Data and methodThe project has a mixed method design, starting with a qualitative multiple case study conducting photo-elicitation 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 utilisationResults 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 realisationStudy 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.