The expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home model among Chinese elderly people: A mixed methods study protocol

Abstract

Nursing homes integrated with smart information such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital health could improve not only the quality of care but also benefit the residents and health professionals by providing effective care and efficient medical services. However, a clear concept of a smart nursing home, the expectations and acceptability from the perspectives of the elderly people and their family members are still unclear. In addition, instruments to measure the expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home are also lacking. The study aims to explore and determine the levels of these expectations, acceptability and the associated sociodemographic factors. This exploratory sequential mixed methods study comprises a qualitative study which will be conducted through a semi-structured interview to explore the expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home among Chinese elderly people and their family members (Phase I). Next, a questionnaire will be developed and validated based on the results of a qualitative study in Phase I and a preceding scoping review on smart nursing homes by the same authors (Phase II). Lastly, a nationwide survey will be carried out to examine the levels of expectations and acceptability, and the associated sociodemographic factors with the different categories of expectations and acceptability (Phase III). With a better understanding of the Chinese elderly people’s expectations and acceptability of smart technologies in nursing homes, a feasible smart nursing home model that incorporates appropriate technologies, integrates needed medical services and business concepts could be formulated and tested as a solution for the rapidly ageing societies in many developed and developing countries.

The expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home model among Chinese older adults: A mixed methods study

“…The item design of the EASNH-Q demonstrated good levels of relevance, comprehensibility, and comprehensiveness in assessing the expectations and acceptability of smart nursing homes [39][40][41]. The nal version of the EASNH-Q with 24 items can be completed by older adults within 30 minutes, as speci ed in the study protocol [22].…”

“…The sociodemographic factors associated with expectations and acceptability of smart nursing homes were also explored. The study protocol and the preceding qualitative study have been previously published [22,23].…”

“…A qualitative study was conducted among 28 older adults aged 60-75 years and six adult children in Hainan and Dalian, China, to explore their expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home [23]. The themes, codes and subcodes were used to develop the initial version of the EASNH-Q (Additional le 1, A1-1).…”

Current state of care for the elderly in China in the context of an aging population

“…The Internet+ model transforms and upgrades traditional care for the elderly, fully exploring the consumption habits and preferences of the elderly by collecting big data, and the combination of "online and offline" aspects allows vast and varied care and products, facilitating comprehensive care for the elderly. The Internet+ model can involve care for the elderly provided by facilities, communities, and home care centers using "Internet+" technology, or care provided by online personnel using their own network information platforms (77). The "Internet+" model of care for the elderly has 4 main elements: an oversight body, a big platform, care providers, and a specialized link The government is the oversight body, civil affairs bureaus create a national platform to provide information on caring for the elderly and enter their basic information, care providers are the companies providing care for the elderly, and a specialized link uses detailed information to improve the accessibility, accuracy, and public approval of care for the elderly (78).…”

Detecting Elderly Behaviors Based on Deep Learning for Healthcare: Recent Advances, Methods, Real-World Applications and Challenges

“…Smart elderly nursing home: A special building or room designated purposely for the elderly care is called nursing home. When smart devices are involved in the nursing home to help care givers in taken care of the elderly people usually involving cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital health [39] is referred to as the smart elderly nursing home. Smart Hospital: In hospital environment, smart devices are incorporated and integrated to help in efficient and effective service delivery to patients.…”