The use of personalised touchscreen tablets in improving patient and staff outcomes in Geriatric Evaluation and Management

The National Centre for Healthy Ageing 'Smart Ward' is a new and unique concept that aims to transform care within a Geriatric Evaluation and Management ward at the Peninsula Health Mornington Centre. The Smart Ward will collect patient observations for research with the objective of developing and improving models of care in healthcare environments. Part of the suite of technologies is the installation of personalised touch screen tablets in patients’ rooms. However, the potential uses of this technology, from the perspectives of patients and clinicians, are unexplored. Also, given high rates of cognitive impairment in this setting, it is important to understand how patients with cognitive impairment can benefit from the technology. This study aims to: 1. Understand the perspectives of patients and clinicians working in Geriatric Evaluation and Management about the optimal uses of personalised touch screen tablets for improving patient and staff outcomes and wellbeing; 2. Understand the barriers and facilitators of workflow integration processes and implementation of tablet features; and 3. Pilot-test the effectiveness of an intervention delivered via personalised touch screen tablets in improving patient and staff outcomes and wellbeing.