E-health to improve integrated care for older people: communication insights from ValueCare

BACKGROUND: Population aging poses challenges to high quality health and social care for older people in Europe. The Horizon 2020 ValueCare project (www.projectvaluecare.eu) develops, implements and evaluates an Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) supported integrated health care solution. ValueCare aims to increase health-related quality of life of older people in Europe by a co-designed digital solution with end users. The project has seven pilot sites with unique social and cultural backgrounds: Athens, Greece; Coimbra, Portugal; Cork/Kerry, Ireland; Rijeka, Croatia; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Treviso, Italy; and Valencia, Spain. METHODS: Taking this innovative practice as an ongoing research case, we will share important lessons learned in the designing, operationalization, and coordination of such a multidisciplinary project from a communication perspective. We will discuss the insights on the challenges and opportunities of designing and implementing innovative and robust digital solutions in various social contexts with different regulations. RESULTS: Recruiting participants was the most challenging task, especially during the pandemic. Different communication strategies were used to reach diverse participants to ensure inclusivity and diversity of the participants. We will discuss the communication aspects of ValueCare that can inspire future projects to consider communication perspectives in public health research and solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The co-design approach increased the participation of end-users during the phase of development and implementation. Intense communication strategies were applied to engage older people and professionals in using the new care approach. ICT supported outcome-based integrated care has the potential to benefit the larger society in an equitable way. KEY MESSAGES: • Co-design may be applied to increase involvement of end-users during development and implementation of new care strategies. • Intense communication strategies are needed to engage older people, informal caregivers and care professionals in the development and use of new care strategies.