Aged care nurses unprepared for digital future

Better tools and training are required for nurses to manage end of life care in residential facilities digitally, an Australian study has found.

The paper – Technology in end-of-life care is very important’: the view of nurses regarding technology and end-of-life care published in BMC Nursing in November – calls for nurses to be more involved in the creation of digital tools meant for them.

To make sure technology works accurately for nurses and supports better care, nurses should be consulted from initial concept, through to integration and implementation, said lead author Dr Priyanka Vandersman.

“Right now, with the significant policy changes happening in aged care digital health, it is just as important for policymakers to include nurses in the conversation,” Dr Vandersman told Australian Ageing Agenda.

“Including nursing voices is essential to ensure these technologies are used effectively and lead to better outcomes for those in their care.”

Nursing leaders, educators, and managers have a role to play too, said Dr Vandersman, a senior research fellow at Flinders University’s Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying.

“We need to step up as advocates for digital health and make sure we are part of the discussions where these innovations are being designed and implemented,” she said.

“That might mean putting your hand up to join a technology project at work or giving feedback on new tools being tested. It is crucial for managers and leaders to involve frontline nurses in these processes. After all, nurses providing daily hands-on care are the ones who will be using these tools every day, and their insights can make all the difference in getting it right.”

The study, which involved Dr Vandersman and co-author Professor Jennifer Tieman interviewing nursing staff across 15 residential aged care facilities in three Australian states, found that nurses were already utilising a range of digital tools, such as medication management portals and telehealth platforms, with the technology appreciated for increasing efficiency and accessibility in care delivery.

The systems participants currently use are fragmented, meaning navigation of multiple platforms for various tasks, resulting in more administrative burdens and taking time away from hands-on care, the study found.

By equipping them with digital skills, we can empower nurses to work smarter, streamline workflows, and ensure they are fully supported to deliver the best possible care in a rapidly evolving sector.

Other findings included unreliable infrastructure, insufficient training, and time-consuming processes. Plus a lack of support to use technology effectively and a need for continuing education to confidently implement digital tools into daily practice.

With over a third of Australian deaths occurring in aged care facilities, it is vital to comprehend how technology can aid in end-of-life care, Dr Vandersman said.

“With the digital reform agenda and the implementation of the new aged care standards, technology has a very important role to play, offering structured and accessible care solutions. However, its success depends on thoughtful implementation that supports, rather than replaces, the human connection central to compassionate caregiving,” said Professor Tieman, director of the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying.   

The pair envision pioneering tools, including dashboards for tracking care processes, automated medication management systems, and telehealth enhancements, as crucial to elevating palliative care outcomes.

The research suggests that if these improvements were implemented, it would reduce errors, streamline workflows, and give nurses the freedom to focus more on interpersonal care.

Dr Vandersman told AAA that the need for Australian aged care nurses to upskill digitally is “critical” and with technology such as electronic health records, telehealth, and AI tools becoming a big part of how care is delivered, it was “essential” to have strong digital skills.

“It is important to remember that it’s not just about keeping up, rather, it is about making sure we can provide efficient, high-quality care for the people we look after in a digitally infiltrated health and care environments,” Dr Vandersman said.

“In addition to that, the new policies and reporting requirements mean we need nurses to feel confident using these systems. By equipping them with digital skills, we can empower nurses to work smarter, streamline workflows, and ensure they are fully supported to deliver the best possible care in a rapidly evolving sector.”

By including digital skills in performance reviews and creating spaces for nurses to share their experiences, providers can foster a culture of learning and help nurses feel confident in using new technology.

Providers can help nurses upskill digitally by setting up mentorship programs, where experienced nurses guide others, and ensuring easy access to the tools and support they need, she added.

“Our research shows that nurses highly value support and guidance when technology is integrated into care processes, especially when it’s rolled out service wide. At the service level, it is crucial to gather regular feedback from nurses when technology is being developed, modified, or introduced to ensure training is effective and systems are user-friendly,” Dr Vandersman told AAA.

“Providers should also collaborate with tech companies to ensure the tools meet nursing needs and consider offering incentives like professional development credits for nurses who complete digital training. By including digital skills in performance reviews and creating spaces for nurses to share their experiences, providers can foster a culture of learning and help nurses feel confident in using new technology.”

The research was part of the National End of Life Directions for Aged Care’s larger project on the ELDAC Digital Dashboard. With the ongoing aged care reforms in mind, Professor Tieman told AAA they would be looking into “the next steps for digital innovations” in end-of-life care across both residential and home care settings over the coming months.

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