A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Digital skills and application use among Finnish home care workers in the eldercare sector (2022)

Rantala, E., Taipale, S., Oinas, T., & Karhinen, J. (2022). Digital skills and application use among Finnish home care workers in the eldercare sector. In H. Hirvonen, M. Tammelin, R. Hänninen, & E. J. Wouters (Eds.), Digital Transformations in Care for Older People : Critical Perspectives (pp. 166-186). Routledge. Routledge Studies in the Sociology of Health and Illness. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003155317-13

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Rantala, Eero
Taipale, Sakari
Oinas, Tomi
Karhinen, Joonas

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rantala, Eero; Taipale, Sakari; Oinas, Tomi; Karhinen, Joonas

Parent publication: Digital Transformations in Care for Older People : Critical Perspectives

Parent publication editors: Hirvonen, Helena; Tammelin, Mia; Hänninen, Riitta; Wouters, Eveline J.M.

ISBN: 978-0-367-72557-0

eISBN: 978-1-003-15531-7

Journal or series: Routledge Studies in the Sociology of Health and Illness

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 30/09/2021

Pages range: 166-186

Number of pages in the book: 210

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon, Oxon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003155317-13

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84589

Abstract

This chapter explores the role digital skills, interest in technology, and social support have in home care workers’ use of digital applications at work. The empirical research is based on the 2019 University of Jyväskylä survey study on eldercare work (N = 6,903), drawn from the members of four majors trade unions in Finland. In this chapter, a sub-sample of home care workers (n = 1,398) is used in the analyses. Structural equation models are used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of available technology support, digital skills, and interest in technology on the actual use of various digital applications at work. According to the results, technology support has no direct effect on the use of digital applications. However, technology support seems to increase interest in technology and improve digital skills, which in turn promotes the use of digital applications. The availability of technology support appears as a crucial facilitator for home care workers’ digital agency at work.

Keywords: care for older people; elderly; home care; digitalisation; information technology; electronic services; applications (computer programmes); employees; use; supporting; support persons; social support