The shortage of qualified personnel and the increasing demand for care services are challenges that require well-considered and sustainable solutions. Digitalization and digital transformation are one way of ensuring the care of residents in retirement and nursing homes. As part of the Upper Austria “Digitales Pflegeheim" project funded by the Upper Austrian Care Technology Fund, telemedicine is one of the used solutions in the Liebigstraße senior centre of SZL Seniorenzentren Linz GmbH. As a result, the aim of this work is to demonstrate the potential, benefits and limitations of telemedicine in retirement and nursing homes in Upper Austria using the Liebigstraße senior citizens' centre as an example and to identify the resulting courses of action for the Liebigstraße senior citizens' centre. To answer the research questions, a literature review and a search of international application examples were carried out. Additionally, a stakeholder analysis and guided interviews with key stakeholder were conducted. The results describe the potential, benefits and limitations of the use of telemedicine. The main benefits are the safeguarding of care, the elimination of patient transport, the avoidance of hospitalization and faster care. Limitations are the need for personal contact and the unavailability of equipment to treat the health problem in the senior centre, as well as lack of consent from residents. The revolution in medical care, other possible applications depending on the participating stakeholders and the economic benefits for the entire system are recognised as potentials. The resulting recommendations for action draw attention to future key steps, such as the need of securing funding and continuing the acquisition of consultation partners.
- Gesundheits-, Sozial- und Public Management
Potenziale, Nutzen, Grenzen von Telemedizin in Alten- und Pflegeheimen in Oberösterreich anhand des Seniorenwohnheims Liebigstraße der SZL Seniorenzentren Linz GmbH
Mayringer, K. (Author). 2025
Student thesis: Master's Thesis