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Supporting the Process of Help-Seeking by Caregivers of Functionally Dependent Older Persons Through Electronic Health: Protocol for a Multicenter Co-Design.

Authors :
Latulippe, Karine
Guay, Manon
Éthier, Sophie
Sévigny, Andrée
Dubé, Véronique
Provencher, Véronique
Poulin, Valérie
Giguere, Anick MC
Tremblay, Mélanie
Carignan, Maude
Giroux, Dominique
Source :
Journal of Medical Internet Research; Apr2019, Vol. 21 Issue 4, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p, 1 Color Photograph, 1 Chart
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Background: It is often only when the initial signs of exhaustion appear that caregivers first may engage in help-seeking behavior, but it is difficult for them to know which is the most appropriate formal service in their situation. Electronic health (eHealth) can support caregivers in keeping the older person they are caring for at home, but few eHealth tools designed for supporting the process of help-seeking by caregivers of functionally impaired older persons have been developed using a co-design approach. Objective: This paper aims to describe the protocol of a project that tries to assist caregivers to target their needs and those of the older person they support early in their help-seeking process, and guide them effectively to the formal service most appropriate for their situation. This project aims to answer the following questions: (1) What type of tool can better support caregivers to identify their needs and those of the older person they are caring for and then refer them to an appropriate formal service? and (2) What information should be found in such a tool? Methods: This study presents a description of the process of an ongoing multicenter research project based on a co-design approach, which includes 3 phases (1) identification of caregivers' needs in terms of tools to support their help-seeking behavior, (2) development of a tool, and (3) evaluation of its usability. Results: The project began in January 2016 with the ethics application for the 3 phases of the project. For phase 1, recruitment began in December 2016 and ended in September 2017. Phase 2 began in the spring of 2017 and ended in June 2018. All the co-design sessions have been completed. Phase 3 of the project will begin in September 2018. Conclusions: Although there are some challenges associated with this type of methodology, the methodology still remains relevant, as it involves future users in the development of a tool, which increases the chances that the tool will meet the users' needs. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/11634 We help JMIR researchers to raise funds to pursue their research and development aimed at tackling important health and technology challenges. If you would like to show your support for this author, please donate using the button below. The funds raised will directly benefit the corresponding author of this article (minus 8% admin fees). Your donations will help this author to continue publishing open access papers in JMIR journals. Donations of over $100 may also be acknowledged in future publications. Suggested contribution levels: $20/$50/$100 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14394456
Volume :
21
Issue :
4
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
136207660
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2196/11634