Strategiska förändringsprocesser i vården : En studie om digitalisering och e-hälsas betydelse för äldreomsorgen

Sammanfattning: We are getting older and the health care needs to be developed to keep up with the demographical alterations. The proportion of elderly in Sweden above 80 years of age is expected to increase with 50 percent by 2028 and similar developments are also seen in Europe. Healthcare has many challenges and obstacles to expect, thus wants to use e-health as a tool to make healthcare more efficient. In accordance with sustainable development (Global goals 2030) the goal is to free up healthcare resources and enable and empower the caretakers. The purpose of this study has been to contribute with an increased comprehension of the change processes that can be identified in the implementations of the e-health in elderly care, how these processes are executed and the contextual circumstances that apply in the elderly care. To further understand these processes of change, the study uses a theoretical frame of reference comprised of Andrew Pettigrew's theory of process change and Roger Everett's Diffusion Theory. The study results in the following conclusions: 1) The introduction of e-health is crucial for future healthcare and elderly care.  2) E-health means better patient safety.  3) the demographic development with an older population structure is an important motivating factor for the development of e-health.  4) The public sector currently lacks the competence and expertise to successfully develop e-health.  5) Covid-19 is an important catalyst for accelerating the development of e-health.  6) Normal characteristics of digital tools are a decentralized process due to autonomy in the municipalities.  7) Due to misallocation, the municipalities are dependent on regions for the development of e-health.  E-health and digitalization are, in addition to efficiency aspects, important for delivering a good and preventive care that provides the opportunity for increased transparency and ownership of one’s own care situation. This study applies a qualitative methodology whereas semi-structured interviews have been conducted with four informants. By analyzing collected empirical data from eHälsomyndigheten, Teknikmarknad and ImagineCare AB. The study conclude that e-health is a complex phenomenon, with subprocesses and contextual circumstances, within the elderly care whereas various stakeholder´s interests meet and impacts the possibilities for development.