Adoption and Challenges of Digital Technologies in Home Care for

Older Adults in Austria: Bridging Practical and Managerial

Perspectives

Panitda Huynh

School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Keywords: Digital Health Technologies, Elderly Care, Innovation, Home Care, Longterm Care.

Abstract: The integration of digital technologies (monitoring, health system software, care support, etc.) into home care

for older adults is becoming increasingly important as care demands rise. This paper explores the key

challenges and opportunities of adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearables, and remote

monitoring systems in home care, especially based on Austria’s healthcare sector. Through an in-depth

interview study, this study addresses three critical questions: (1) How can management drive workforce

adoption of digital technologies? (2) What are the main barriers and opportunities for technology integration

in home care? (3) How can technology balance privacy, independence, and regulatory challenges? Our

findings show that while digital tools have the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of care and

support the independence of older adults, caregiver resistance, financial constraints, and regulatory challenges

remain significant barriers. However, their adoption is hindered by challenges including financial constraints,

regulatory complexities, and the need to address privacy concerns and user engagement among older adults.

Effective management strategies, flexible solutions, and supportive regulatory frameworks are key to

overcoming these barriers. By examining both practical and managerial perspectives, this study offers

valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry leaders looking to enhance technology

adoption in home care. The paper concludes with recommendations for fostering successful technology

integration and improving patient outcomes in home care for older adults.

1 INTRODUCTION

With an increasingly aging population, traditional

home care models are experiencing growing demands

and evolving needs, necessitating innovative

approaches to deliver high-quality care to older adults

(Carvalho et al., 2017). By 2050, the global population

of individuals aged 60 and older is expected to reach

2.1 billion, almost doubling from 1 billion in 2020

(WHO, 2020). As more people prefer to age at home,

the need for efficient, accessible, and affordable home

care services continues to grow (Carvalho et al., 2017).

In Europe, 77% of older adults prefer to remain in their

own home as they age rather than being

institutionalized (Ratnayake et al., 2022).

Digital health technologies encompass evidence-

based, software-driven tools and connected devices -

such as digital therapeutics, wearable sensors,

telehealth platforms, and clinical decision support

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1169-2271

systems - designed to deliver therapeutic outcomes,

enhance healthcare delivery, and support self-

management (DTx Alliance, 2023). Emerging

technologies are being positioned as transformative

solutions to address these challenges, including

accessibility, cost, and the shortage of healthcare

professionals (Bertolazzi et al., 2024; Mumtaz et al.,

2023). Telemedicine, encompassing services such as

telemonitoring and video consultations, seeks to

enhance healthcare accessibility and convenience by

enabling patients to receive medical care from the

comfort of their own homes (Haleem et al., 2021).

Evidence suggests that telemedicine solutions are not

only user-friendly but also effective in enhancing the

quality of care provided remotely (Haleem et al.,

2021). For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic,

telemedicine became invaluable in maintaining

patient access to healthcare while minimizing

infection risks (Chu et al., 2022; Haimi and

Huynh, P.

Adoption and Challenges of Digital Technologies in Home Care for Older Adults in Austria: Bridging Practical and Managerial Perspectives.

DOI: 10.5220/0013307700003911

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 18th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2025) - Volume 2: HEALTHINF, pages 1057-1066

ISBN: 978-989-758-731-3; ISSN: 2184-4305

1057

Sergienko, 2024). This technology enabled

healthcare providers to monitor chronic conditions,

conduct routine check-ups, and offer mental health

support—all without requiring in-person visits (Chu

et al., 2022; Goldberg et al., 2022). E-prescription

systems streamline the prescription process by

allowing providers to send prescriptions

electronically, which can reduce medication errors

and increase time efficiency, although challenges

remain with verifying that patients’ medication lists

are accurate and up-to-date, especially when dosages

or medications change (Hareem et al., 2023). Mobile

health uses applications and wearable devices to

support chronic disease management, while digital

health applications and AI-driven systems further

enhance monitoring and decision-making, especially

for conditions requiring continuous oversight (Sousa

et al., 2023). These innovations have the potential to

improve care efficiency, support independent living,

and enhance the overall quality of life for older adults

(Bhattarai and Phillips, 2017; De Santis et al., 2023).

However, their integration faces numerous barriers

including workforce resistance, high implementation

costs, and regulatory complexities (i.e., data privacy

according to the GDPR) (Carvalho et al., 2017;

WHO, 2017). Bridging the gap between management

perspectives and practical caregiving settings is

crucial for fostering successful technology adoption,

as it ensures alignment between operational goals and

real-world care delivery, ultimately enhancing care

outcomes (Stoumpos et al., 2023).

In Austria, where 19% of the population is aged

65 or older, the adoption of digital technologies in

home care is gaining attention, but challenges remain

on both practical and systemic levels (STATISTIK

AUSTRIA, 2021). Austria's eHealth strategy aims to

strengthen digital healthcare integration by

expanding access to services such as the electronic

health record (also known as “ELGA”) and

telemedicine options (BMSGPK, 2024). This

initiative addresses accessibility, telehealth

development, and digital skill enhancement among

healthcare providers to support the aging population

more effectively (BMSGPK, 2024). Understanding

the barriers to digitalization in healthcare requires

insights from both clinical and managerial

perspectives. This paper provides an interview of an

Austrian healthcare leader, who has experience in

both nursing and leadership roles within the care

industry. Drawing from these insights, this study aims

to explore the dual perspectives of management and

caregiving in the adoption of technologies in home

care settings.

For this reason, the research focuses on three key

questions: (1) How can management drive workforce

adoption of digital technologies? (2) What are the

main barriers and opportunities for integrating

technology into home care? (3) And how can these

technologies balance privacy, independence, and

regulatory challenges? Addressing these questions

will provide a deeper understanding of how to

effectively leverage technology to enhance home care

services for older adults, ensuring sustainable and

high-quality care delivery.

2 METHODS

A qualitative semi-structured interview was

conducted with a healthcare executive from Austria,

who brings extensive experience in both clinical care

and managerial roles within older adult care settings.

The interview was conducted in October 2024, for a

duration of 60-minutes. The interview aimed to gain

in-depth insights into the participant’s perspectives

on the adoption of digital technologies in care, with a

particular focus in home care.

A pre-defined set of open-ended questions guided

the discussion to address three central research

questions mentioned above. An interview guide was

developed based on current literature to address

known gaps in digital health integration for older

adults, gathering detailed insights into six key areas

of digital transformation in their care: (1) adoption of

AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, (2)

impact of telehealth and remote monitoring, (3) data

security and privacy concerns, (4) interoperability of

digital tools, (5) user engagement, and (6) future

trends and innovations. The complete interview guide

is included in the appendix for reference and

transparency.

The recorded interview was transcribed verbatim

to ensure accuracy and preserve the richness of the

participant's responses. Following transcription, the

data was analyzed using thematic coding in the

qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti. While the initial

design aimed to employ an inductive approach, the

use of a literature-informed interview guide indicates

a blend of inductive and deductive elements.

Specifically, the themes were grounded in the

participant's responses but were also shaped by the

pre-existing categories derived from the literature.

The thematic coding process helped to organize

and interpret the participant's insights into distinct

themes relevant to digital transformation in older

adult care. By systematically analyzing the data, this

approach captured both emergent patterns and

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context-specific nuances, addressing the study’s

research questions while balancing inductive

exploration and deductive structure. This process

provided a structured yet flexible framework for

identifying core issues and insights that addressed the

study’s research questions.

3 RESULTS

The analysis of the interview provided rich insights

into the integration of digital technologies in home

care for older adults. Several key themes emerged

from the data, highlighting both opportunities and

barriers for effective adoption of technologies.

3.1 Workforce Adoption and

Resistance to Digital Technologies

One of the primary themes were the resistance of the

workforce to adopting new digital technologies. The

interviewee noted that this resistance is often due to

the perceived complexity of technologies, especially

AI and IoT devices, which caregivers may feel

unequipped to use (Stoumpos et al., 2023). The lack

of digital literacy among the workforce was a

recurring barrier, with many staff members

expressing concerns about the increased workload

associated with learning and using these technologies

(Dunn and Hazzard, 2019; Oh et al., 2021). On top of

that, caregivers were particularly resistant to AI-

driven tools, which they viewed as potentially

disruptive to their established workflows.

Not to mention, a significant portion of caregivers

in Austria are not native German speakers, which can

create language barriers that further impact their

digital literacy (Carlos and Wilson, 2018; Trukeschitz

et al., 2022, 2022). These caregivers may face

additional challenges in understanding digital tools

and technologies, particularly when training materials

or user interfaces are only available in German. As

the demand for foreign workers in the care sector

continues to grow, addressing these language and

training barriers becomes increasingly critical to

ensuring effective adoption of digital solutions.

Additionally, caregivers were particularly resistant to

AI-driven tools, which they viewed as potentially

disruptive to their established workflows.

The role of management was also identified as

pivotal in mitigating this resistance. The participant

highlighted that management-led training programs

and clear communication on the benefits of digital

tools can significantly improve workforce adoption.

In addition, hands-on training, involvement in

decision-making processes, and demonstrating how

digital tools can alleviate manual tasks were noted as

effective strategies to build workforce trust in

technology. Furthermore, the participant also

emphasized the importance of incremental

implementation, such as starting with small pilot

programs to build familiarity before rolling out

technologies on a larger scale.

3.2 Barriers and Opportunities for

Technology Integration

The participant pointed out multiple barriers to the

integration of digital technologies, particularly

financial constraints. Budget limitations were a major

concern, especially for smaller care providers who lack

the resources to implement and sustain new

technologies like care management systems, remote

monitoring systems or wearables. The executive noted

that while digital health promises improved efficiency,

the upfront cost and maintenance expenses are

significant deterrents to adoption. Additionally,

infrastructure limitations, such as inadequate internet

connectivity in rural areas, were mentioned as

obstacles to technology deployment. Conversely, the

participant highlighted several opportunities for

enhancing technology integration. They described

successful examples of wearable devices like fall

detection sensors and remote health monitoring tools

that maintain anonymity to address privacy concerns.

These technologies have had a direct positive impact

on patient safety and have significantly reduced the

workload for caregivers (e.g., unnecessary visits).

Further to that point, the executive suggested that

public-private partnerships could help alleviate

financial burdens through subsidies, grants, and shared

infrastructure initiatives, particularly for care agencies

serving low-income or rural populations in Austria.

3.3 Data Privacy, Regulatory

Challenges, and Interoperability

Data privacy and regulatory compliance emerged as

significant concerns regarding technology integration

in home care (Sirur et al., 2018). The participant

noted that Austria’s strict data protection regulations,

such as the GDPR, present considerable challenges

for implementing technologies that collect sensitive

health information. Specific concerns included

patient consent, data ownership, and the management

of data across different care settings. To overcome

these challenges, the participant recommended

adopting privacy-by-design principles, ensuring that

data protection is built into the development and

Adoption and Challenges of Digital Technologies in Home Care for Older Adults in Austria: Bridging Practical and Managerial Perspectives

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implementation stages of digital health solutions.

Transparent communication with older adults and

families about data collection and usage was also

highlighted as crucial for building trust and

facilitating technology acceptance. The executive

emphasized that regulatory clarity and support are

needed to provide a safe environment for the adoption

of technologies.

The challenges of interoperability among digital

tools used in home care settings was also raised as a

point of concern. The participant noted that most

current technologies do not effectively integrate with

existing healthcare information systems, such as

those used in hospitals and pharmacies. This lack of

interoperability results in fragmented patient data,

which hinders seamless care coordination and

complicates the process of managing patient

transitions between home care and acute care settings.

Taking this further, the participant identified a

need for standardized protocols to enable different

digital health systems to communicate effectively.

She suggested that developing national

interoperability standards could be a key step in

solving this issue, which would ultimately improve

patient care quality and ensure more efficient use of

technology across different levels of the healthcare

system. In the same light, the participant also

mentioned that involving technology developers in

conversations with care providers could help design

solutions that address specific interoperability needs.

3.4 Patient and Family Engagement

The role of digital technologies in enhancing patient

and family engagement was another key theme that

emerged during analysis. The participant shared that

technologies such as patient portals and wearable

health devices have significantly improved

communication with families, allowing them to stay

informed about the health and well-being of their

loved ones. From clinical experience, the participant

observed that families felt more connected to the care

process and were more likely to be involved in

decision-making when they had access to real-time

health information. However, they also noted several

challenges in engaging older adults and their families,

particularly those with limited experience using

digital tools. The participant mentioned that many

older adults were reluctant to use digital devices due

to a lack of familiarity and a fear of technology. To

overcome these challenges, it was recommended to

provide education sessions to build digital literacy

and ensure comfort in using these tools. Additionally,

the participant also noted the importance of designing

user-friendly interfaces with intuitive features to

facilitate better engagement.

3.5 Innovations Driving Future Care

The participant envisions a future of home care for

older adults driven by emerging technologies,

focusing on personalized and proactive care. They

highlighted several promising trends and innovations

that could enhance care quality and efficiency.

A key trend is AI-driven predictive analytics,

which provides early warnings of health issues by

analyzing patient data patterns. This enables timely

interventions, reducing emergency service needs and

improving patient outcomes. By identifying risk

factors early, predictive analytics supports preventive

care, which is especially crucial for aging populations

at greater risk of chronic conditions.

Wearable sensor technology is another innovation

gaining traction. These devices, such as health

trackers and fall detection systems, monitor vital

signs and activity levels in real-time. Wearable

sensors empower older adults to manage their health

actively while providing caregivers with valuable

data for shared decision-making, contributing to

greater independence without intrusive visits.

The participant also mentioned temperature-based

monitoring technology, which uses thermal imaging

to detect activity in a non-intrusive way, maintaining

privacy. Unlike cameras, temperature-based systems

provide essential information about well-being

without capturing identifiable images, aligning with

privacy concerns while ensuring safety.

Smart home integration is another promising

development. The use of smart sensors and automated

home systems allows for enhanced monitoring of the

living environment, detecting potential hazards and

alerting caregivers when necessary. These

technologies support older adults in maintaining

independence at home while providing additional

security.

Voice-assisted technologies were also mentioned

during the interview. Voice technology for digital

documentation and communication could particularly

benefit non-native caregivers by reducing manual

record-keeping by writing down completed tasks.

This simplifies administrative workloads and ensures

accurate, timely documentation, which is essential for

quality care.

Robotics in care is another area of interest.

Mechanical aids that assist older adults in standing up

or moving around provide critical support without

replacing human interaction. These aids may help

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maintain patient independence and reduce physical

strain on caregivers.

Lastly, the participant emphasized the need for

flexible monitoring systems that adapt to individual

needs, offering greater security or freedom depending

on each patient's circumstances. This flexibility

ensures that technology supports personalized care

rather than imposing rigid protocols.

Finally, the executive highlighted the importance

of investing in technologies that directly benefit older

adults and caregivers, such as tools that reduce

manual tasks or improve health monitoring. There is

a need for ongoing research into cost-effectiveness

and user acceptance of these technologies to ensure

that investments lead to sustainable improvements in

care quality. Collaboration between healthcare

providers and technology developers was

recommended to create solutions that address the

unique needs of the aging population, ensuring a high

level of user satisfaction and meaningful health

outcomes.

4 DISCUSSION

The results of this study reveal both the opportunities

and barriers associated with integrating digital

technologies into home care for older adults.

Reflecting on these findings, it becomes evident that

while there is great potential for enhancing care

delivery through digital tools, significant systemic,

workforce, and cultural challenges must be addressed

to ensure effective implementation.

4.1 Workforce Adoption: More than

Just Training

The workforce resistance to adopting digital tools was

a central theme, and while training programs and

gradual rollouts are useful, this finding suggests a

deeper, systemic issue regarding the culture of care.

Digital transformation in healthcare often conflicts

with existing values and routines, particularly in

settings where caregivers are accustomed to direct,

human-centered interactions (Stoumpos et al., 2023).

Training alone may not address underlying fears of

job replacement or increased surveillance that often

accompany the introduction of digital tools

(Stoumpos et al., 2023). There is a need for

management strategies that go beyond skill-building

and address cultural and emotional aspects of

technology adoption. Furthermore, developing

narratives that position technology as a tool that

enhances human care, rather than as a replacement,

could play a crucial role in reducing workforce

resistance. For instance, by emphasizing how digital

tools can support caregivers in routine tasks, allowing

them to focus more on meaningful, patient-centered

interactions, these narratives can help alleviate

concerns about job displacement of current

caregivers. Moreover, framing technology as an ally

in delivering higher-quality, personalized care by

reducing administrative burden, improving

efficiency, and enabling proactive health

management can foster a sense of empowerment

among caregivers rather than fear or apprehension.

4.2 Financial and Regulatory

Challenges: A Need for Innovation

in Policy

The challenges related to financial and regulatory

barriers underscore a critical gap between innovation

and practical feasibility. The high initial costs and

ongoing expenses associated with digital health tools,

particularly in the context of home care, limit the

adoption potential for smaller care providers. This

reflects a broader inequity in the healthcare sector,

where access to advanced technologies is often

determined by financial capacity (Stoumpos et al.,

2023; Weik et al., 2024).

From a regulatory perspective, the emphasis on

compliance with strict data protection regulations like

GDPR is a double-edged sword. While protecting

patient data is crucial, the burden of compliance

disproportionately affects smaller providers who may

lack the resources to effectively navigate these

complexities (Filippis et al., 2024; Sirur et al., 2018).

This finding raises questions about the adequacy of

current regulatory frameworks in supporting

innovation. There may be a need for adaptive

regulation, where policies evolve in tandem with

technological advancements, allowing for both

innovation and protection (Martin et al., 2019;

Wilkinson, 2018).

4.3 Interoperability: A Persistent and

Systemic Issue

The issue of interoperability between digital tools and

healthcare systems reflects a fundamental limitation

in current healthcare infrastructure (Bharath Perugu

et al., 2023; Torab-Miandoab et al., 2023). Despite

the widespread recognition of the benefits of seamless

data sharing, achieving interoperability remains

intangible due to the lack of standardized protocols

and the fragmented nature of health IT systems (Vest

and Gamm, 2010). This has been a persistent problem

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across healthcare systems globally, limiting the

potential for coordinated, integrated care and poses

risks to patient safety due to potential information

gaps (Ali et al., 2024).

The recommendation for national interoperability

standards is not new; however, the lack of progress

suggests that there are significant political, technical,

and organizational barriers to achieving this goal

(Adler-Milstein et al., 2017). In accordance to related

work, the absence of unified policies and the presence

of information blocking - where entities intentionally

interfere with data sharing for competitive advantage

- exacerbate these issues (Ali et al., 2024). Financial

constraints also play a role, as healthcare

organizations may lack the resources to invest in

interoperable systems or upgrade existing

infrastructure. Such practices create silos, further

complicating efforts toward interoperability. Moving

forward, achieving meaningful interoperability will

require not just technical solutions but also cross-

sectoral collaboration, involving technology

providers, healthcare providers, and policymakers

working towards common standards and incentives

for compliance.

4.4 Patient and Family Engagement:

Beyond Access to Information

The use of digital tools to improve patient and family

engagement offers significant promise but also

reveals limitations, especially among older adults,

regarding equity in access and digital literacy (Fang

et al., 2019; Gordon and Hornbrook, 2018). While

digital platforms and wearables can help relatives and

loved ones stay informed and involved, the findings

reflect the digital divide that often exists among older

adults and their families (Frishammar et al., 2023).

Many older adults face challenges in adopting new

technologies due to a lack of familiarity or comfort,

which could inadvertently create disparities in the

quality of care received (Bertolazzi et al., 2024).

Given this, technology developers and healthcare

providers need to move beyond just providing access

to “digital tools”. There is a need for user-centered

design that considers the specific abilities and

limitations of older adults (Frishammar et al., 2023;

Mannheim et al., 2023). Moreover, education and

support programs need to be tailored to ensure that

these technologies are accessible to all, thereby

promoting more equitable outcomes in care

engagement (Bertolazzi et al., 2024).

4.5 Future Directions

The participant’s optimism about emerging

technologies such as monitoring devices, AI-driven

predictive analytics and wearable sensors points to the

potential for proactive, personalized care. However, it

is critical to reflect on the ethical and practical

implications of these technologies. Monitoring devices

can offer continuous health insights, while predictive

analytics can support early interventions, ultimately

reducing the need for emergency responses and

enhancing overall care outcomes (Kim et al., 2022).

However, it is crucial to consider the ethical and

practical implications of these technologies. Predictive

analytics, for instance, can introduce concerns related

to accuracy, bias, and unintended consequences,

particularly for vulnerable populations like older

adults, where underrepresentation in datasets may lead

to disparities in care (Bertolazzi et al., 2024; Junaid et

al., 2022). To fully realize the benefits of these

innovations, careful reflection on these challenges is

needed to ensure equitable, safe, and effective use in

home care (Johnson et al., 2020; Mannheim et al.,

2023).

Investment in technologies that directly benefit

caregivers and older adults must be coupled with

rigorous evaluation of both effectiveness and user

acceptance (Stoumpos et al., 2023). The importance

of ongoing research into the cost-effectiveness and

broader impacts of these technologies cannot be

overstated (Gentili et al., 2022). Without a clear

understanding of the value provided relative to the

costs and potential risks, there is a danger of investing

in solutions that fail to deliver sustainable

improvements in care quality (Junaid et al., 2022).

4.6 Strategic Recommendations

Reflecting critically on these findings, several

strategic recommendations emerge for stakeholders,

including healthcare providers, policymakers,

technology developers, and care managers:

(1) Training should be part of a broader change

management strategy that addresses cultural and

emotional barriers to technology adoption.

Emphasizing the complementary role of

technology in enhancing, rather than replacing,

human care could foster a more positive attitude

among caregivers. To support this, targeted pilot

programs can be introduced to familiarize

caregivers with new technologies in a controlled

and gradual manner, helping them build

confidence.

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(2) Policymakers must consider the development of

more adaptive regulatory frameworks that

protect patient data while supporting innovation.

Regulatory sandboxes could be a practical

approach, providing care providers with a

controlled environment to experiment with new

technologies.

(3) Achieving true interoperability will require

political will, technical standardization, and

incentives for collaboration. Stakeholders across

the healthcare ecosystem, including vendors,

care providers, and regulators, need to work

together to establish and enforce national

interoperability standards.

(4) To promote equitable engagement, technology

developers must focus on user-friendly and

accessible designs for older adults, and care

providers should offer tailored education and

support to bridge digital literacy gaps. Digital

literacy workshops can be organized to

familiarize participants with new technologies

through practical demonstrations, such as

wearable health monitors and patient portals.

(5) Emerging digital tools, particularly those using

AI, must be rigorously tested for cost-

effectiveness, ethical implications, and user

acceptance to ensure they deliver meaningful

benefits without exacerbating existing inequities

or introducing new risks.

5 CONCLUSIONS

The integration of digital technologies into home care

for older adults in Austria offers transformative

opportunities to enhance care quality, efficiency, and

independence for aging populations. However, this

study highlights several critical barriers, including

workforce resistance, financial limitations, regulatory

constraints, and the lack of interoperability across

healthcare systems. By addressing these challenges

through targeted management strategies, regulatory

innovation, and cross-sector collaboration,

stakeholders can unlock the full potential of digital

health technologies in home care. This study

contributes to the growing body of knowledge on

digital health adoption by providing actionable

insights specific to the Austrian context. It

underscores the importance of tailored approaches

that balance technological innovation with the unique

needs of older adults, caregivers, and healthcare

providers. For example, practical recommendations,

such as implementing regulatory sandboxes,

designing user-friendly solutions for older adults, and

fostering financial support for smaller care providers,

offer a roadmap for overcoming systemic challenges.

Future research should build on these findings to

further examine the cost-effectiveness of emerging

digital tools in improving care outcomes.

Additionally, studies exploring broader policy

implications, such as the impact of national

interoperability standards or public-private

partnerships on care accessibility, would provide

valuable insights for scaling solutions. Investigating

strategies to ensure equitable access for rural and low-

income populations also remains a key area for

exploration. To create an ecosystem that supports

sustainable and high-quality digital transformation in

home care, stakeholders must adopt a collaborative

approach. By prioritizing inclusivity, innovation, and

evidence-based strategies, Austria has the potential to

lead in integrating digital technologies into home

care, ultimately improving the quality of life for older

adults and creating a model for other healthcare

systems to follow.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We express our sincere gratitude to the healthcare

executive who contributed to this study. The

invaluable insights, expertise, and willingness to

dedicate their time has significantly enriched our

understanding of the Austrian healthcare landscape

and the integration of digital health technologies in

home care.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

PH is affiliated with the Centre for Digital Health

Interventions (CDHI), a joint initiative of the Institute

for Implementation Science in Health Care,

University of Zurich, the Department of

Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH

Zurich, and the Institute of Technology Management

and School of Medicine at the University of St

Gallen. CDHI is funded in part by CSS, a Swiss

health insurer, Mavie Next, an Austrian health

insurer, and MTIP, a Swiss digital health investor.

However, neither CSS, nor MTIP were involved in

this research.

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APPENDIX

Interview Guide

Section 1: Adoption of AI and IoT Technologies

1. General Adoption

o "How open do you think Austrian

home care providers are to adopting

new technologies like AI and IoT

devices?"

o "What do you see as the primary

barriers to the adoption of these

technologies in home care?"

2. Key Challenges and Solutions

o "What regulatory or operational

challenges do providers face when

integrating AI or IoT into their

services?"

o "What do you think could be done to

overcome these barriers and promote

wider adoption?"

3. Impact of AI and IoT

o "Can you provide any examples of how

AI or IoT has been successfully

implemented in Austrian home care?

What benefits have you observed?"

Section 2: Impact of Telehealth and Remote

Monitoring

1. Telehealth in Home Care

o "How has telehealth been integrated

into home care services in Austria? Are

Adoption and Challenges of Digital Technologies in Home Care for Older Adults in Austria: Bridging Practical and Managerial Perspectives

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there any examples of its impact on

care efficiency or patient outcomes?"

2. Challenges in Telehealth Adoption

o "What challenges have you seen in

scaling telehealth solutions,

particularly for older adults? Are there

any significant barriers, such as

resistance from patients or caregivers?"

3. Effectiveness of Remote Monitoring

o "How effective has remote patient

monitoring been in improving health

outcomes for older adults receiving

home care? What are the measurable

improvements?"

Section 3: Data Security and Privacy Concerns

1. Privacy in Digital Home Care

o "What are the major concerns

regarding data privacy when using

digital technologies in home care?"

o "Have there been any cases or

examples of data security breaches, and

how were they handled?"

2. Best Practices

o "What best practices do you

recommend for ensuring patient data

security while still enabling the use of

advanced technologies like AI and

IoT?"

3. Regulatory and Ethical Challenges

o "How do current data privacy

regulations in Austria affect the

adoption of digital tools in home care?

Are they more of a hindrance or a

necessary safeguard?"

Section 4: Interoperability of Digital Tools

1. Current Integration

o "How well do the digital tools used in

home care integrate with other

healthcare systems, such as hospitals or

pharmacies?"

o "Are there any gaps or interoperability

issues that affect the quality of care?"

2. Improving Interoperability

o "What steps do you think need to be

taken to improve the interoperability of

digital health systems in Austrian home

care?"

o "How could better integration impact

patient outcomes and care

coordination?"

Section 5: Patient and Family Engagement

1. Engagement through Technology

o "How do digital tools enhance the

engagement of patients and their

families in the care process? Do you

find that these tools help families stay

more connected and informed?"

2. Challenges in Engagement

o "What challenges do older adults and

their families face when using digital

tools in home care, and how do you

overcome these challenges?"

3. Impact on Care Satisfaction

o "Have you noticed any impact on

patient satisfaction or outcomes when

families are more engaged through

digital means? Can you share any

specific examples?"

Section 6: Future Trends and Innovations

1. Future of Home Care Technologies

o "Looking ahead, what emerging

technologies do you think have the

greatest potential to revolutionize

home care for older adults in Austria?"

2. Technology Investment

o "In your opinion, where should home

care providers focus their investment in

terms of technology to achieve the best

outcomes for patients?"

3. Innovative Solutions

o "Are there any innovative projects or

technologies that you believe could

address current challenges in the

Austrian home care system, such as

workforce shortages or care

accessibility?"

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