RESUMEN
Every country in the world is facing serious demographic aging, since the average life expectancy is consistently increasing. Agencies involved in the implementation of caregiving through long-term care institutions can develop more convenient approaches using information and communication technology to enhance overall efficiency. Communication technology has enabled the strengthening of physiological instruments, improving the efficiency and quality of services, while integrating management systems for optimum efficiency. This work conducted empirical studies, collecting responses to questionnaires from residents and caregivers in five institutions located in the south of Taiwan. The PZB model, proposed by Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry, was used to construct the questionnaire to analyze the service quality following the incorporation of information and communication technology. The results of the empirical study show that 34% and 63% of the relatives of the residents agreed and strongly agreed that the system was practical and convenient, respectively. As for the caregivers, 77% of them agreed or strongly agreed that the system was mobile, practical, and convenient, and they agreed that the system could significantly increase working efficiency, reduce waiting time, and improve administration for chronic diseases among care-home residents.
RESUMEN
Introdução: A tecnologia pode se apresentar como uma aliada dos profissionais da saúde para possibilitar a continuidade do cuidado em domicílio. A utilização dela se justifica pelo aumento da complexidade do estado de saúde dos indivíduos que cada vez mais possuem doenças crônicas e agudas, a crescente expectativa de vida, a dificuldade de deslocamento nas grandes cidades e nas áreas rurais e, sobretudo, ao aumento da adesão as diversas redes sociais que possibilitam a facilidade e rapidez na comunicação. Objetivo: discutir estratégias do uso de tecnologias para a continuidade de cuidados à distância aos idosos. Métodos: foram apresentados três estudos de intervenção sobre a aplicabilidade de tecnologias para continuidade de cuidados à distância. Resultados: em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de catarata, o telecuidado influenciou na diminuição do tempo de recuperação cirúrgica, na menor ocorrência de complicações e as intervenções mais realizadas foram referentes ao desconforto, proteção dos olhos, curativo e autocuidado. Nos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca, observa-se que o discurso demonstra retorno ao hospital para acompanhamento dos exames de sangue, preocupação com a cicatriz cirúrgica, bom estado geral, apesar das dores, e satisfação por receber o contato via Whatsapp®. Sobre idosos com demencia e seus cuidadores, a ligação telefônica reduziu o risco para declínio funcional nos idosos e a sobrecarga dos cuidadores de idosos. Conclusão: o telecuidado foi testado e demonstrou resultados positivos em três cenários, mas destaca-se a necessidade de ampliar essa tecnologia em mais modalidades com outras tecnologias integradas que possam melhorar a qualidade de vida e autonomia dos idosos e familiares.(AU)
Introduction: Technology may present itself as an ally to health professionals to enable continuity care at home. Its use is justified by the increase of health condition complexity, which includes increased prevalence of chronic and acute diseases, growing life expectancy, difficulty of commuting in large cities and rural areas and, mainly, increased adherence to the various social media that make communication easier and faster. Purpose: discuss studies that use technology for continuity of distance care Methods: there are three Interventions studies about the applicability of technology for continuity of long-distance care. Results: In patients undergoing cataract surgery, the long-distance care made a difference in decreasing time in surgery recovery, less appearance of complications and the most commons interventions were about discomfort, eyes protection, bandage and selfcare. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, it was observed that the speech was about returning to the hospital for blood tests, worry about the surgery scar, good health conditions, concerns for the pain, and satisfaction for receiving messages from Whatsapp®. About the elderly people with dementia, the phone call reduced the risk of functional decline in the elderly and caregiver burden. Conclusion: The long-distance care was tested and showed positives results in three different scenarios but highlights the need to expand this technology in more ways with other integrated technologies that can improve quality of life and independence of the elderly and their families.(AU)