START-online: acceptability and feasibility of an online intervention for carers of people living with dementia

Pilot and Feasibility Studies

Joanne Tropea¹  Anita Panayiotou²  Christina Bryant³  Jodi Chiang³  Hannah Capon⁴  Colleen Doyle⁴  Ellen Gaffy⁴  Briony Dow⁵  Samantha M. Loi⁶  Michelle Kelly⁷  Gill Livingston⁸ 

[1] Department of Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 3050, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, 3050, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, 3050, Parkville, Australia;Department of Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 3050, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Safer Care Victoria, 3000, Melbourne, Australia;Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Melbourne, Australia;National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, 3050, Parkville, Australia;National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, 3050, Parkville, Australia;School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia;Neuropsychiatry, North Western Mental Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 3050, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, 3050, Parkville, Australia;School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, 2308, Newcastle, Australia;UCL Division of Psychiatry 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7NF, London, UK;

关键词: Family carers;    Caregivers;    Dementia;    Online;    Intervention;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40814-022-00999-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWith increasing numbers of people living with dementia relying on family to care for them at home, there is an urgent need for practical and evidence-based programs to support carers in maintaining their mental health and well-being. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a modified STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) program delivered online (START-online).MethodA mixed-methods non-blinded evaluation of START-online (using Zoom as videoconferencing platform) for acceptability and feasibility (completion rates and qualitative feedback through surveys and focus groups) and quantitative evaluation. This occurred at the National Ageing Research Institute, in metropolitan Victoria, Australia.ResultsTwenty-nine eligible carers were referred, 20 (70%) consented to the study. Of these, 16 (80%) completed all 8 sessions, 2 completed only 3 sessions, and 2 withdrew. Carers’ qualitative feedback indicated that the therapist interaction was valued, content and online delivery of the program was acceptable. Feedback was mixed on the appropriate stage of caring.ConclusionSTART-online was feasible and acceptable for carers, including those living outside of metropolitan areas who might otherwise be unable to access face-to-face programs. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic necessitating social distancing to avoid infection, interventions such as this one have increasing relevance in the provision of flexible services.

【 授权许可】

CC BY