On September 18, the first stakeholder meeting of the TechSocialcare project took place at Vidzeme Hospital. The project draws attention to a highly relevant topic – the availability and use of assistive technologies in social and healthcare services. These technologies provide essential support both for patients and professionals, yet several challenges still hinder their wider implementation.
During the meeting, participants discussed the main challenges in the field. At the national level, digital platforms such as e-Health were positively evaluated, as they allow services to be accessed remotely and facilitate data registration, as well as the availability of electronic assistive technologies. However, not all social and healthcare workers and clients have sufficient knowledge, skills, or interest in using them. At the organizational level, management shows openness to introducing various technologies, but challenges remain with staff training, practical use of technologies, and selecting appropriate solutions. A significant limitation in technology selection is that software is rarely available in Latvian. At the inter-institutional level, the opportunity to participate in projects, collaborate with academic partners, and work with specialized support centers, such as the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIC), was highly valued. However, it was noted that there is a lack of intermediaries between social and healthcare institutions and the developers of digital services and tools.
Project manager Lienīte Priedāja-Klepere emphasized that the goal is to find solutions for how technologies could more effectively support both care providers and clients. She pointed out that it is particularly important to combine the perspectives of different institutions and organizations in order to develop a sustainable approach and define priorities in this field.
Project expert A. Pokšāns stated: ‘The stakeholder meeting within the framework of the TechSocialcare project in Latvia took place in a constructive and engaging atmosphere. Participants discussed the current challenges and the opportunities offered by the use of technologies in social care. The meeting promoted mutual understanding and opened up possibilities for further collaboration within the project. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the newly opened rehabilitation department of Vidzeme Hospital, thus gaining insights into how today’s available technologies can be applied in practice.
Special attention in the project will also be devoted to the research carried out by social anthropologist Līna Orste. Her work will focus on the analysis of policy documents and the collection of stakeholder experiences in order to prepare a report on the use of assistive technologies in social and healthcare. This report will help to identify the changes needed at the policy and practice levels to promote more accessible and effective use of technologies.
At the end of the meeting, participants visited the newly opened Rehabilitation Center at Vidzeme Hospital, where the head of the center, physiotherapist Kristīne Matuka, introduced to the new facilities and technological aids. These provide support in patient rehabilitation while also facilitating the daily work of physiotherapists.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Vidzeme Hospital, Strenči Psychiatric Hospital, Valmiera Municipality, the Latvian Samaritan Association, Valmiera Municipality Social Affairs Department, the association ‘Dzīvības poga’, the Latvian Family Doctors’ Association, NRC ‘Vaivari’ Technical Aids Center, as well as the Latvian Red Cross ‘Home Care’ office.
This was the first of several meetings that will help build a shared vision and advance the field of assistive technologies in Latvia through close collaboration with various stakeholders.
About the project
This event was organized within the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE Programme 2021–2027 project TechSocialcare. The project’s goal is to involve public authorities, municipalities, and social service providers in the development of a unified legal framework in social and healthcare, as well as to define basic requirements and standards—such as ergonomics, open communication, usability, etc.—for ICT tools and assistive technologies in social and healthcare services.
More information about the project in Latvian: https://www.vidzeme.lv/projekti/tehnisko-standartu-veicinasana-paligtehnologijam-eiropas-socialas-aprupes-pakalpojumos/tehnisko-standartu-veicinasana-paligtehnologijam-eiropas-socialas-aprupes-pakalpojumos_pase/
Official project website in English: https://www.interregeurope.eu/techsocialcare
