From 2025 to 2026: Changing views on digitalization in care and social services

How can high-quality care be provided when professionals are under increasing time and work pressure? The myneva trend study “Care & Social Services 2025” examined what motivates professionals, what stresses they face, and how far digitization has progressed in care facilities.

The results show that care and social service professionals in Europe are driven by a deep sense of purpose – they want to help, make a difference, and create meaning. However, stress, time pressures, and bureaucracy threaten this motivation. Digital solutions are seen as a key tool for reducing this burden and are already part of daily work routines in many facilities. Often, however, their use is still limited to individual processes.

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of AI and digital technologies, the 2026 Trend Study takes a new look at the situation: Where do professionals and organizations stand today — and what impact do digital solutions actually have on everyday work?

Thus, the focus is no longer solely on whether digital solutions are being used, but rather on what they actually do for professionals and care.

Looking back on 2025: High motivation meets structural pressure  

More than 2,500 employees in the care and social sector across seven European countries participated in the myneva trend study “Care & Social Services 2025.” The results paint a similar picture across national borders: Motivation is high— for 60 percent of respondents, direct contact with people is the primary reason for their career choice. At the same time, excessive workloads, a lack of staff, and inadequate working conditions are putting pressure on professionals.

49.3 percent name stress and workload as a possible reason for leaving the care and social sector. For 42.5 percent, low pay is a possible reason for leaving. When asked about specific support in their day-to-day work, 47.2 percent say they would like, above all, more staff.

At the same time, interest in digital solutions and artificial intelligence is growing. Nearly half of those surveyed are already working in partially digital environments. However, only 18.6 percent work in a fully digital environment using mobile applications. This shows that digital processes have taken hold in many places but are not yet used across the board.

There is also a high level of openness toward AI: 70.2 percent view AI as a useful tool for repetitive tasks. The 2025 Trend Study thus makes it clear: What matters most is no longer a general willingness to embrace digital transformation, but rather the question of what concrete contribution technology can actually make to everyday work.

2026 Trend Study: Does digitalization keep its promises? 

In this year’s trend study, myneva 2026 focuses on the concrete impact of digital solutions on everyday work. The study is based on the assessments of more than 3,500 professionals and leaders from seven European countries.

The study focuses on three key areas:

• Time and reduced workload: How much work time is spent on documentation, administration, and recurring tasks? In which areas are digital solutions already saving time – and how is this time being used?
• Quality and retaining staff: Do digital systems contribute to better documentation, fewer errors, and more structured handovers? And can they help retain professionals?
• AI in everyday work: How can AI-powered assistance systems help with complex documentation requirements, language barriers, or the onboarding of new employees? And what conditions are necessary for this – such as training, clear data protection policies, and support from management?

This shifts the focus from the use of digital technologies to their concrete impact. The 2026 Trend Study aims to highlight where digital support is already making a difference in everyday work, where obstacles remain, and what expectations professionals have regarding their future development.

The study’s findings will be presented for the first time on September 23, 2026, at the European Care Summit and discussed with industry experts. The study thus opens a dialogue on how digitalization and AI can actually reduce the workload in everyday work and improve the quality of care in the long term.

Register now for free for the European Care Summit on September 23, 2026, and be among the first to gain insights into the findings of the  Trend Study Care & Social Affairs 2026.  

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European Care Summit 2026: More time for quality in care 

What do the results of the trend study mean in practice? Experts and executives will discuss this on September 23, 2026, at the European Care Summit. Keynote speeches and a panel discussion will contextualize the findings and demonstrate how digital assistants can reduce administrative tasks and free up more time for high-quality care.

Country- and sector-specific breakout sessions will focus on specific areas of work: In elderly care, topics will include connected care processes – from admissions and occupancy management to mobile care documentation. For child and youth services, the focus will be on how AI can support documentation and day-to-day workflows.

The European Care Summit will take place entirely online and is free of charge. You can decide for yourself whether to attend a single session or follow the entire program. If you are unable to attend on the day of the event, registering will still grant you access to the results of the Trend Study Care & Social Affairs 2026. 

Register now for free