A Qualitative Study on the Utilization of Welfare Technology in the Long Term Care Insurance

Abstract

This study aims to comprehensively grasp the perceptions of people involved in the use of welfare technology in long-term care insurance for the elderly. For this purpose, a focus interview (FGI) was conducted with 18 people from 4 groups consisting of facility managers and workers at the long-term care facility, National Health Insurance Service employees, and academic experts. The FGI analysis results were as follows. First, as problems in the use of welfare technology, limitations in the level of technology, lack of care workers' ability to use, Restrictions of in information and education, and Absence of effectiveness measurement and verification were identified. Second, regarding the possibility of utilizing welfare technology, from the perspective of the elderly and their families, improvement of the quality of life of the elderly, increase of convenience and reliability, objectification beneficiaries were derived. In terms of institutions and workers, efficiency improvement, management responsibility issues, downsizing and monitoring tools were presented. From the perspective of National Health Insurance Service, the implementation of standardized welfare technology and the polarization of technology use were suggested. Based on the research results, policy tasks for the development of welfare technology within the long-term care insurance were proposed.