The digitalisation of the social economy offers great potential to make processes more efficient and to counteract the increasing need for care and the simultaneous shortage of skilled workers. Digital applications are already making a significant contribution to supporting nursing activities and optimizing the quality of care. AI applications are also being tested and expanded in practice. In the aconium GmbH interview series “5 Answers”, Lea Bergmann, association consultant from the Association for Digitization in the Social Economy, explains the impact of digitization on the development of nursing professions and the opportunities that AI offers in this area.
aconium: How far has the digitalisation of the social economy already progressed in Germany?
Lea Bergmann: The social economy is still lagging far behind the economy as a whole when it comes to digitalisation. That’s according to the BFS report “Success Factor Digitalisation – On the Way to Social Economy 4.0”. But a look at the theory also shows that digitalisation is a process. This process can be roughly divided into three stages that build on each other. Many social enterprises have already laid the foundations for successful digitalisation, the basic infrastructure, for example with PCs, Internet access, websites or internal data infrastructures. The next step is to develop a digitalisation strategy for the entire company. This is how information and communication can be successfully networked. Even here, there are currently still major differences in development within the social economy. The final stage of digitalisation is the development of a digital business model. This final stage of digitalisation represents the greatest challenge for many social enterprises, but at the same time offers the opportunity to meet other challenges, such as the increasing need for care with an increasing shortage of skilled workers. It requires openness and the will to develop digital solutions.
aconium: In what way does vediso support the digitalisation of the social economy and how is it being received?
Lea Bergmann: At vediso, we support our members in precisely this process of digital transformation at all three stages. We accompany social enterprises in the digitalisation of their processes, in the development of digital business models and create a space for the exchange and development of digital platforms for the services of the social economy. We organize and run workshops and campaigns related to digitalisation. In our network, members can exchange ideas on all aspects of digitalisation. All non-profit organizations and/or social enterprises that offer social services for people in need of help can become members(https://vediso.de/mitglied-werden). In addition, we join forces within the social economy to promote digitalisation. We do this in the context of specific projects, such as the exploratory project on AI in care (SoKIP) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In addition to specific project work, we give the social economy a voice in matters relating to digitalisation. We identify fields of action for policymakers in which participation can be directly promoted through government measures. As a company from the social economy, we want to make a contribution to the social economy.
aconium: How has the nursing profession changed in the course of digitalisation? Which digital applications have already proven their worth in this area and where is there still a need for action?
Lea Bergmann: Digitalisation opens doors. Digital solutions are already effectively supporting care activities and improving the quality of care. This relieves the burden on employees, increases safety and enables digital participation for those in need of care. Digital networking enables significantly better cooperation between the players involved – for example between care facilities, relatives and doctors. However, many questions remain unanswered. Suitable technical standards and the refinancing of digital operating costs are needed. A system changeover “to digital” must be approached strategically and holistically. Together in an alliance of associations, we are calling for measures and regulations for digitalisation in the care sector. We have summarized these in a joint position paper: https://vediso.de/standpunkte. What we would like to emphasize at this point: In the care sector in particular, we naturally need open eyes and ears for practical applications. A lot is technically feasible, but not everything that is feasible is also desirable or practical. Entrepreneurial freedom and self-determination of those in need of care must be taken into account and used. Ultimately, well thought-out digitalisation can help to make the nursing profession more attractive again and at the same time improve the overall quality of care.
aconium: What role does AI play in care?
Lea Bergmann: There are many different areas of application for AI in care. In addition to care in the context of SGB XI and SGB V, AI solutions can also be used in health promotion and prevention, as well as in people’s own homes. Not only the areas of application, but also the target groups for the use of AI in care are diverse. For example, AI solutions play a role for people in need of care, carers and the relatives of those in need of care. In general, an AI solution supports the processes or implementation of nursing care. However, AI systems can also be used in decision-making processes in care practice.
aconium: What applications of AI are already being used in care and where do you see further potential?
Lea Bergmann: Overall, the status of AI implementation in nursing is low. Although AI-supported technologies have been increasingly developed and researched for use in nursing practice for several years, progress has so far primarily been made in the field of robotic systems. AI is already being used in service planning, documentation support, fall detection, urinary incontinence monitoring and the early detection of deteriorating mental health conditions. So far, the focus has generally been more on clinical applications or in the area of supporting independent living at home. Sensor data is primarily used there. The future use of AI solutions in care is particularly promising and offers the opportunity for practical acceptance and an increase in the quality of care. However, further social and professional discourse on the use of AI in care is necessary. The desired social contribution of AI to care must be negotiated together with the professional groups involved and the people affected by the decisions of the AI systems. Regardless of whether it is an AI system or other digital technology in care, sustainable financing and framework concepts for the use of technology are required. This requires service providers and service providers, but also political players, to develop appropriate concepts and create favorable framework conditions in a joint dialog. The actual “new” product is not the technical AI solution per se, but the changed care service.
aconium: Thank you very much, Ms. Bergmann, for the interview.