Abstract
Background: The integration of technology-based interventions into health and care provision in our aging society is still a challenge especially in the care pathway for people with dementia. Objective: The study aims to: (1) identify which socio-demographic characteristics are independently associated with the use of the embodied conversational agent among subjects with dementia, (2) uncover patient cluster profiles based on these characteristics, and (3) discuss technology-based interventions challenges. Methods: A virtual agent was used for four weeks by 55 persons with dementia living in their home environment. Results: Participants evaluated the agent as easy-to-use and quickly learnable. They felt confident while using the system and expressed the willingness to use it frequently. Moreover, 21/55 of the patients perceived the virtual agent as a friend and assistant who they could feel close to and who would remind them of important things. Conclusions: Technology-based interventions require a significant effort, such as personalized features and patient-centered care pathways, to be effective. Therefore, this study enriches the open discussion on how such virtual agents must be evidence-based related and designed by multidisciplinary teams, following patient-centered care as well as user-centered design approaches.
Highlights
IntroductionThe challenges from demographic change and aging are pushing the innovation of digital solutions to transform health and care provision worldwide
The study aims to: (1) identify which socio-demographic characteristics are independently associated with the use of the embodied conversational agent called Anne, among subjects with dementia after four weeks of usage in their home environments, (2) uncover patient cluster profiles based on these characteristics, and (3) discuss how technology-based interventions require a significant effort such as personalized features and patient-centered care pathways, to be effective for the different types of users
As a result of social and physical distancing to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people quickly adapted and transitioned to a virtual setting for continuity of care
Summary
The challenges from demographic change and aging are pushing the innovation of digital solutions to transform health and care provision worldwide. There is still a need to identify key barriers and enablers to understand the challenges and the factors that could support the deployment of digital technologies in meeting the need for care and support of the aging population. This need is of particular interest in frail and vulnerable individuals, such as people living with dementia. This study enriches the open discussion on how such virtual agents must be evidence-based related and designed by multidisciplinary teams, following patient-centered care as well as user-centered design approaches
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