Promoting digital inclusion in palliative and end of life care

Digital health is a broad term that refers to the use of digital technology in delivering health and social care. It might include:

• a video or telephone call between a healthcare professional and a patient
• the use of artificial intelligence to support diagnosis or identify people at risk of particular health conditions
• wearable sensors for monitoring signs and symptoms.

Digital technology has the potential to improve the efficiency of the health and care system, and empower patients and carers to have more choice in the care they receive [1].

But this potential can only be reached if everyone is able to access digital health services as needed. This is why digital inclusion is so important.

Not everyone in our society is able to access the benefits of digital health. This might be because:

• they do not own or have access to internet devices
• they cannot afford to pay for an internet connection, or to charge devices
• they do not have access to a good quality internet connection (for example if they live in a rural area)
• they do not know how to use internet devices and there is no support for them to learn
• they are not comfortable using digital services
• digital health services are not compatible with accessibility aids such as screen-readers or closed-captions/subtitles
• services are not available in different languages.

Digital inclusion is about making sure everyone is able to access online services if they want to.

People should never be forced to use digital health services against their will, or be left with no face-to-face option. This is particularly important when people are approaching the end of their lives.

Across the UK, digital technology is being used to support people with palliative care needs, who wish to stay at home or would struggle to get to a hospice building.

Services such as Hospice at Home and Virtual Wards can use digital tools to monitor patients, help manage symptoms and prevent unplanned admissions to hospital. Support groups and holistic services can be delivered remotely to patients, families and carers, giving people access at a time that suits them.

As well as supporting individuals, digital services can help:

• reduce pressure on in-patient beds in hospices and hospitals
• reduce infection risk
• reduce the cost of travel for district nurses and Hospice at Home staff.

Our report highlights the importance of ensuring everyone has access to the care they need at the end of their life.

It makes recommendations for policymakers and providers, about things they need to consider when developing digital health services.

1. Hospice UK. Digital health and inclusion in palliative and end of life care [Internet] Hospice UK; 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 07].

Images: courtesy of the age-positive image library via The Centre for Ageing Better