Aspace Digital Care: A Data-Driven Platform for Integrated and Person-Centred Support in Complex Disability Care

Introduction: Fundació Aspace Catalunya, a non-profit organisation within the Catalan SISCAT network, supports people with complex disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders through integrated social, health and educational services. Fragmented records and disconnected communication across systems limited coordination, continuity and preventive care. To address this, Aspace Catalunya developed Aspace Digital Care—a comprehensive digital ecosystem that unifies all organisational information under a single electronic social, educational and health record (ESEHR). The project integrates internal digital processes and a mobile app designed to enhance prevention, participation and communication between professionals, users and families. This initiative aligns with the Catalan Integrated Social and Health Care Strategy and the WHO’s Integrated People-Centred Health Services framework.

 

Methods: The project was co-designed through participatory methodologies involving professionals, families and people with lived experience. It followed four main phases: (1) Process mapping and needs assessment to identify fragmentation and inefficiencies in communication, documentation and follow-up; (2) Digital ecosystem design combining organisational management tools with a unified ESEHR, ensuring interoperability; (3) Development of a mobile application to facilitate user engagement, symptom monitoring and preventive alerts; and (4) Implementation and evaluation across residential, day care, early intervention and outpatient neurorehabilitation services.

A multidisciplinary digital governance board oversaw implementation, and iterative testing cycles allowed for continuous improvement. Quantitative indicators (efficiency, coordination, time use) and qualitative data (user satisfaction, professional experience, participation) were collected to assess impact.

 

 

Results: The introduction of Aspace Digital Care has led to a substantial organisational and cultural transformation. The unified record enables real-time access to person-centred information across disciplines, facilitating consistent and coordinated decision-making. Digitalised workflows have reduced administrative burden and improved traceability of actions, allowing professionals to dedicate more time to direct support.

The mobile app empowers families and users to actively participate in their care journey, fostering transparency, communication and co-responsibility. Preventive alerts and dashboards support early identification of health or social risks, enabling timely, data-informed interventions. Moreover, the digital system provides management teams with aggregated insights that enhance planning, evaluation and value-based decision-making across services.

 

Conclusion: Aspace Digital Care demonstrates how a unified electronic social, educational and health record can serve as a foundation for truly integrated, preventive and person-centred care. The initiative represents a replicable model for digital integration in complex disability contexts, advancing equity, efficiency and participation across social and health ecosystems.