Location:
Objective of the practice:
Development of concepts for digital participation in healthcare, specially tailored to the needs in rural areas.
Subtopics of the practice:
Geographical scope of the practice:
Baden-Württemberg
Short summary of the practice:
The goal of the project is to strengthen the existing local structures for senior citizens in rural areas by establishing local support systems. Older individuals will be informed about digital health offerings, supported, and advised in using them. This aims to reduce barriers toward the digital transformation in healthcare. For this purpose, information and qualification programs specifically tailored to rural areas are being developed. These cover topics such as telemedicine, electronic patient records (ePA), e-prescriptions, digital health platforms, and the booking of digital services, appointments, and delivery services. The project “Healthy and Digital in Rural Areas” targets older citizens, as well as family members, caregivers, and those responsible for the relevant sectors in municipalities and institutions.
Detailed information on the practice:
The primary goal of the project is to strengthen the existing local structures for senior citizens in rural areas by establishing local support systems. The project consists of a total of three components: Information, events and course offerings Qualification, including training and media education support offered by mentors Scientific support of the components Digitalization impacts all areas of life and affects people from all generations. Keeping up with the digital world is therefore a key aspect of participating in social life. However, older people often feel insecure or lack experience, especially when it comes to independently using digital applications and services in health, medicine, or care. Older people in rural areas, in particular, need to be given special attention in multiple ways. Digital health services and offerings can: Improve individual care situations Compensate for mobility deficits Ease daily life in the face of limited infrastructure The project, funded by the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs, and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg (MLR) through the Cabinet Committee on Rural Areas, develops concepts specifically tailored to the unique needs of rural areas. The central goals of the “Healthy and Digital in Rural Areas” project are: Bringing the opportunities of digital healthcare to rural areas Enabling older citizens to engage in self-determined digital participation through media literacy The project also targets family members, caregivers, and those responsible for relevant sectors in municipalities and institutions. The measures of the project address many central issues in healthcare, such as telemedicine, electronic patient records (ePA), digital health platforms, as well as the booking of digital services, appointments, and delivery services. The nationwide introduction of e-prescriptions by doctors and pharmacies at the beginning of 2024 underscores the progress of digitalization in healthcare and highlights the need for sufficient digital skills so that as many citizens as possible can benefit from the advantages of digital transformation. In addition to seniors, the project’s offerings are also aimed at family members, caregivers, and those responsible for the relevant sectors in municipalities and institutions.
Resources needed:
The project is funded by the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs, and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg.
Results achieved:
Through its diverse offerings and close collaboration with the model regions, the project has made a significant contribution to strengthening the digital participation of older people in rural areas. The networks and structures that have been established provide a valuable foundation that can be utilized and further developed by the participating regions even after the project ends. One of the most successful initiatives was the lecture series on digital developments in healthcare. Due to the high level of interest and positive feedback, this series will continue in 2025. It remains an important tool for giving citizens the opportunity to learn about current digital offerings in the healthcare sector and to prepare for the digital future.
Potential for learning:
This project can provide valuable insights as it focuses on improving the living conditions of older people in rural areas and can support them in enhancing their quality of life through the acquisition of digital skills. Therefore, the project is aligned with the objectives of the APOLLO project, and its results could be utilized in this context.
Further information:
https://www.lmz-bw.de/gesundunddigital
Keywords:
Seniors, elderly, digital skills, rural areas, digital health
