P-170 It was like living in the dark: motivations and challenges of digital technology use in palliative care from caregivers perspective

Abstract

Background Digital technologies are increasingly used in palliative care, yet caregivers, who often manage care day-to-day, providing not only physical support but emotional strength and advocacy, are rarely asked how helpful these tools truly are. This study centres their voices, exploring what supports, frustrates, and matters most to them.

Aims To explore the motivations and perceived limitations of digital technology use in palliative care from the perspective of caregivers, and to capture their ideas for practical and meaningful innovation.

Methods Semi-structured interviews (n=20) were conducted with multiple stakeholders including caregivers and the bereaved from inpatient and community-based palliative care services at a hospice, in the North West of England. A hybrid inductive and deductive thematic analysis was conducted, and resulting in eleven overarching themes, including ethics, technology implementation, and physical needs.

Results Technology played a double-edged role: when simple and intuitive like a panic button, wearable or a WhatsApp group, it brought confidence and connection. But when confusing or inaccessible, it deepened distress, often leading to feelings of anxiety. One carer reported, ‘We’re all worn out. We’re all stressed, we’re all emotional.’ Caregivers described the emotional and physical demands of providing care, often while managing their own health and grief. Many suggested a family-facing app for information sharing and symptom tracking could have made a significant difference. Other ideas included direct messaging with nurses for reassurance, and digital tools to prepare families for the stages of dying. These suggestions were grounded in lived experience and offered as opportunities for compassionate innovation.

Conclusion Caregivers are not asking for more technology; they are asking for the right technology. Their voices offer powerful insights into how digital technologies can extend, rather than replace, connection. By listening closely, we can design future technologies that respond with caregiver needs.