Introduction

According to Robert Turnbull, a care technology expert at PA Consulting, for Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) to fulfill its potential, practitioners must have confidence in its insights.

Growing Adoption of TEC Data

Across the UK, local councils are increasingly prioritizing the use of TEC data to assist adult social care teams in making quicker and more informed decisions. A recent report by PA Consulting and TSA indicates that:

• 62% of councils are prepared to leverage TEC insights.
• 96% of adult social care leaders would reconsider care delivery methods if TEC effectively supports preventive measures.

Broadening Scope of TEC

TEC has evolved beyond a supplementary tool, encompassing:

• AI-supported daily living tools.
• Consumer devices like the Vocala platform, which serves as a personalized digital companion.
• Remote monitoring technologies such as HOWZ, which provide comprehensive insights into daily living.

These technologies can help avert crises, enhance outcomes, and lower care costs when utilized effectively.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite the enthusiasm, many councils face significant challenges:

• 78% of leaders wish to accelerate progress, but workforce capability and culture remain major barriers.
• 69% report that their workforce lacks understanding of how to access TEC insights.
• 70% indicate that staff are unsure how to utilize TEC insights for improved decision-making.

Insight-Driven Decision Making

Effective decision-making based on insights requires a cultural shift among practitioners. This transformation is not merely about implementing dashboards; it involves:

• Reassessing priorities.
• Evaluating risks differently.
• Planning support in new ways.

Successful councils focus on integrating TEC into daily practices while investing in workforce development and confidence-building.

Real-World Success Stories

Some councils have successfully adopted this approach, yielding positive results:

• Kent County Council utilizes daily living monitoring and AI dashboards to redesign care packages, resulting in an average delay of six months for individuals moving into residential care, translating to approximately £0.4 million in annual savings.

These successes highlight the importance of leadership, practical support, and workforce engagement in changing work practices.

Embedding TEC Insights in Daily Practice

As demand for social care continues to rise, councils must ensure that TEC insights are integrated into everyday workflows. This includes:

• Embedding TEC triggers into assessments and reviews.
• Utilizing insights during multidisciplinary discussions.

Effective prevention relies on teams being able to recognize changes and act before crises arise.

Conclusion

Research indicates that the primary bottleneck in utilizing TEC data is not the technology itself, but rather workforce capability, confidence, and culture. Councils that prioritize:

• Investing in people alongside technology.
• Integrating TEC insights into daily conversations.
• Building confidence through coaching and support.
• Embedding insights into practice gradually.

These councils are more likely to succeed in leveraging TEC data to enhance decision-making and achieve preventive care goals.

For further reading, visit the original report by Digital Health.