The role of digital technologies in health and long-term care sectors

Abstract

The role of digital technologies in health and long-term care sectors has been manifold. Digital technologies have, amongst others, transformed the delivery of health and care services and generated new type of professional roles and skillsets, therefore affecting both the demand for and the supply of healthcare workers. However, the full implementation of digital technologies – and its potential effect on health and care workforce – remain closely related to numerous ethical, social and labour market aspects. Given the broad scope of the topic, this chapter focuses on three specific thematic areas. The first contribution aims to provide an overview of the main applications brought to the healthcare sector by Artificial Intelligence (AI), together with their benefits and challenges. The second contribution aims to assess the impact of AI progress on four specific health-related occupations: medical doctors; nursing and midwifery professionals; paramedical practitioners; and medical and pharmaceutical technicians. The third thematic contribution aims to analyse how the divide in internet access and digital skills within elderly Europeans poses a barrier to the implementation of telemedicine.