What is digital stress?

Digital stress arises when the demands of using digital technology are perceived as overwhelming. This can include:
- Needing to use multiple digital systems simultaneously
- Experiencing the systems as difficult to understand or technically complicated
- Not receiving sufficient training or introduction
- Not having enough time to document in real-time
- Being afraid of making mistakes or that information is not saved correctly

For many nursing assistants and health care workers, it is a challenge to manage mobile phones, tablets, or computers in an already pressured schedule. Digital work often occurs concurrently with other tasks that require presence and care – which increases the risk of stress.

How does digital stress manifest itself?

Some common signs that digital stress is affecting operations can be:
- Staff avoiding digital systems or postponing documentation
- Mistakes occurring in journaling or communication
- Increased irritation within the staff group
- Technology being perceived as an obstacle rather than a support
- Staff feeling inadequate or frustrated

Stress itself can lead to more sick leaves and staff quitting. But it can also affect the encounter with the residents – especially when the technology steals time or attention from the person.

What can the operation do to counteract digital stress?

For digital technology to become a support rather than a stress factor, a thoughtful work approach is required:
Have a common digital strategy
Ensure that there is a clear structure for how digital tools should be used – what should be documented where and when. Gather information in an easily accessible way and make sure all staff know where it is.

Provide sufficient training and support
Ensure that all staff receive an introduction to new systems. Create a climate where it is permitted to ask, and preferably designate "digital support persons" at each unit. Repeated training and access to guidance in everyday life can reduce feelings of insecurity.

Plan work based on the requirements of the technology
Being able to document after each care situation presupposes that there is time for it. Review staffing, routines, and breaks. Schedule digital work in the timetable – not as an addition to the rest.

Listen to the employees
Digital stress can be difficult to see from the outside. Regular check-ins, dialogues, or reflection sessions can provide space to address perceived difficulties and find solutions together.

Evaluate the systems
Not all digital tools are equally good. Make a review of which systems you use and how they are perceived. Are there unnecessary duplicate registrations? Are the user interfaces adapted to the target group? Try to influence during procurement and development.

Digital presence without losing the human one

Digital systems are a natural part of future elderly care. But they should never replace human interaction. When the technology works well, it can free up time for contact, conversation, and participation. But when it creates stress, irritation, and division within the staff group, both the work environment and the quality of care risk deteriorating.

It is the manager's responsibility to ensure that digitization takes place with both knowledge and care – and in collaboration with those who meet the elderly every day.

Reflection questions - Digital stress
Care staff:
- How do you perceive the digital systems you use daily?
- Do you feel you have received enough training to feel confident in them?
- Do you have time to document in real-time without it affecting the care?

Manager, nurse, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist:
- Do you have a strategy for preventing digital stress in the work team?
- Is there support for staff with new digital tools?
- Do you regularly follow up on how the systems work in practice?

Residents and relatives:
- Do you feel that the technology affects the treatment or accessibility?
- Have you been informed about how digital tools are used to secure the care?

Erland Olsson
Specialist nurse
Sofrosyne - better care every day