Digitization in care? Pioneering for the future!

26.01.2025

The care sector is facing profound change. Digital technologies such as AI-supported assistance systems, telemedicine, robotics and intelligent sensor technology promise to increase efficiency and improve the quality of care in the face of increasing challenges such as demographic change and a shortage of specialist staff. If you ask Marlene Klemm, Director of the Nursing Practice Centre (PPZ) Nuremberg, organizer of the 8th Future of Nursing Conference in March, how she would describe digitalization in nursing in one word, her answer is: "forward-looking".
However, as promising as digital aids are, their introduction is often complex. Ongoing processes, scarce human resources and limited capacities make strategic decisions difficult - especially for managers.

Digital tools can relieve the burden on nursing staff by automating routine tasks, simplifying documentation processes and taking care to a new level with innovative technologies. Digital documentation tools, telemedicine and telecare are already being used today, enabling closer networking between care facilities and medical practices. AI-supported analyses of documentation or behavioral patterns help to identify risks such as falls or an emerging pressure ulcer at an early stage. These benefits are not only economically relevant, but also crucial for the safety of people in care.

Practice shows that not every digital solution has to be complex. Tanja Pollak, Project Manager at PPZ Nuremberg, emphasizes: "Digitalization starts with smaller innovations for social care. It doesn't always have to be big." Low-threshold applications such as sound cushions, medication boxes with a reminder function or simple assistance systems can help to break down inhibitions and enable initial positive experiences.

However, there are often obstacles to all these benefits. One of the biggest is integrating the technologies into existing structures. Care facilities often struggle with heterogeneous IT systems, a lack of interoperability and high investment costs, which they have to bear themselves to a large extent. Added to this is the shortage of skilled staff.

Digital solutions are intended to ease the burden, but initially require time-consuming training, acceptance and a certain level of digital expertise on the part of the users. Klemm reports a considerable amount of preparatory work, especially for more complex systems: "With electronic care documentation software, it is not only necessary to clarify how the new technology works, but also what the data protection and IT security situation is." This preparatory work is essential before digital solutions can even be integrated into everyday care.

The PPZ Nuremberg acts as a real-life laboratory for care innovations - digital solutions are increasingly finding their way into practice here. Among other things, sensor technology for fall prevention, VR applications for social care, digital documentation systems and AI-supported assistance solutions are being tested. Direct feedback from care professionals and cared-for people is crucial here.

Experience shows: Successful digitalization often depends less on technology and more on culture. Facilities that involve care staff at an early stage and communicate transparently achieve a significantly higher level of acceptance. Pollak describes how important support is in everyday life: "We don't just explain how a product works technically, but also help care staff to really integrate it into their care process."

In addition, trial periods and subscription models from many providers make it easier to get started. Klemm welcomes this development: "You can try out technologies and gain experience - because the interaction between the care professional, the person in need of care and the care process is always crucial." At the same time, she points out that the benefits are not immediately apparent: "In the beginning, the workload is often greater than the time savings you hope to achieve." Transparent communication is therefore a key component.

Another key issue is training. Although more and more digital natives are entering the nursing profession, many nurses have been working with analog technology for years. Klemm makes it clear that digital competence means more than just PC skills: "You need product-specific training - similar to the OR - and the ability to critically reflect on technologies." Not every solution is suitable for every person in need of care.

With this in mind, Klemm is clearly in favor of firmly anchoring care technology experts in care facilities. They could act as multipliers, accompany training courses and pick up care staff where they stand with their respective level of knowledge.

How far can the interaction between humans and machines go on an emotional and social level? Arne Manzeschke, Professor of Anthropology and Ethics for Health Professions at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg, warns against simplifying or standardizing human emotions through technology. There is a danger that the richness of human relationships will be lost if technology appears to offer an easier way.

Responsibility in AI-supported decisions also needs to be rethought. Manzeschke speaks of a responsibility gap here: Technical systems have the power to act, but are not moral subjects. These questions need to be negotiated in society - including in the context of care.

The many hurdles and at the same time the urgency of digitalization in care show that exchange is needed. Successful examples from the field can provide guidance, give courage and show how digital solutions can be used sensibly and responsibly. It is particularly helpful for managers to gain insights into tried-and-tested approaches and to compare these with their own framework conditions. Such questions are also addressed by professional exchange formats such as the Future of Care conference, which will take place on 3 and 4 March 2026 at Nuremberg Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences and will bring together current developments, practical examples and overarching issues relating to the digitalization of care.

Klemm emphasizes the importance of practical exchange formats: "It is extremely helpful if experiences with certain technologies can also be shared. We need places where people speak from practice for practice." Such spaces make it possible to learn from each other and identify typical stumbling blocks at an early stage.

Pollak also believes that dialog between different players is key - between care practice, science, technology providers and other stakeholders. This is the only way to assess which technologies are already ready for the market, which still require testing and how they can be integrated into everyday care.

The question of how digital innovations can be used effectively without jeopardizing the human core of care is a recurring theme throughout the digital transformation. This is where technical possibilities, organizational decisions and ethical responsibility meet directly. Manzeschke puts it bluntly: "We must not design our care systems in such a way that human care appears to be either no longer economically viable or technically replaceable."

In order for digital solutions to actually provide relief and not create new burdens, they must be sensibly embedded in existing care processes. Pollak also underlines this point from practical experience: digitalization does not mean buying in technology, but rather critically questioning processes. "A bad process remains a bad process, even digitally." Digital technologies can only be effective if processes are clear, reflective and aligned with actual needs.

Digital innovations are the tool for achieving goals - not the goal itself. In addition to financial resources, a clear ethical stance, strategic planning and foresight are necessary. For decision-makers, this means that technology must be put at the service of care - not the other way around. Those who play an active role in shaping this change will help to ensure that care is fit for the future without losing sight of the human aspect.

In line with this topic, the 8th Future of Care Conference - Digital Transformation: smart, safe, confident! will take place in Nuremberg from March 3 - 4, 2026.

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