Current mHealth Use in Dutch Dementia Care: A Guide to Action!

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2021 Nov 8:286:38-42. doi: 10.3233/SHTI210633.

Abstract

Objective: To report underlying factors that hinder or advance mHealth implementation and use in Dutch dementia care.

Methods: 44 dementia experts (healthcare professionals, informal caregivers, dementia case managers, and researchers) completed a questionnaire as part of a wider Delphi study to share their experiences with, thoughts on, and proposals for mHealth use in Dutch dementia care. A SWOT-framework is used to categorize the experiences, thoughts and proposals.

Results: Four strengths, twelve weaknesses, thirteen opportunities and six threats for the current use of mHealth in Dutch dementia care were identified.

Conclusion: Identified weaknesses highlight the importance for a guide for action for everyone involved in design and implementing mHealth for older adults with dementia. It is critical to raise awareness of mHealth's availability, improve its design, and continue to address the needs of older adults with dementia.

Keywords: COVID-19; SWOT; care; dementia; mHealth.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Caregivers
  • Dementia* / therapy
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telemedicine*