Satisfaction, utilization, and feasibility of a telehealth intervention for in-home dementia care support: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Background Technology can enhance support for families caring for persons living with dementia but must be acceptable to be adopted. The FamTechCare clinical trial engaged caregivers in video recording care encounters that were reviewed by an expert panel who provided tailored feedback. The intervention reduced caregiver depression and improved caregiver competence. This mixed methods study reports on caregiver satisfaction and utilization of the intervention and expert panel evaluation of the intervention. Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used to evaluate the satisfaction, usability, and feasibility of the FamTechCare intervention. In the multisite randomized controlled trial, caregiver-person living with dementia dyads were randomized to the FamTechCare video support or attention control telephone support groups. Caregivers completed a satisfaction survey at the completion of the 3-month trial. Utilization was evaluated using the number and duration of videos submitted and calls received by caregivers. Relationships between participant characteristics and their satisfaction and utilization were evaluated. Feasibility of the intervention was assessed through content analysis of interviews with the expert panel. Results The majority of caregivers in both groups reported benefits from participation. More FamTechCare caregivers found the interventionist support to be helpful ( p = 0.001) and effective ( p = 0.020) compared to attention control caregivers. FamTechCare caregivers of persons with more severe dementia were more likely to report that video recording intruded on their privacy ( p = 0.050). Caregiver age, gender, education, dyad relationship, rural status, and type and severity of dementia were not associated with ratings of acceptability, ease of use, or intervention utilization. The expert panel described the FamTechCare intervention as useful and identified adaptations to enhance feasibility. Conclusion Regardless of age, gender, and relationship, caregivers found the intervention acceptable and easy to use and rated the expert feedback as effective in addressing care challenges. Further adaptation may be needed for FamTechCare to be readily implemented.

Telehealth in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges for Patients and Physicians

“…Video platforms have also been used to follow caregivers’ activities and address them in patients’ long-term management. Williams et al [ 18 ], as part of the FamTechCare project, randomly assigned caregivers to video platforms or phone call intervention. Both of the instruments were revealed to be useful and they were appreciated by caregivers, especially those living with mild-moderate demented patients, and the results were not related to age, gender, and relationship.…”

Cost‐effectiveness of a telehealth intervention for in‐home dementia care support: Findings from the FamTechCare clinical trial

“…The number of videos declined slightly over time with an average of 2.2 ± 2.1 videos submitted during Week 1 and 1.3 ± 3.3 submitted during Week 12 (Table 3). Additional details on the utilization of the video intervention by the FamTechCare group is reported elsewhere (Williams, Shaw et al, 2020).…”

“…The greatest change that would have the biggest impact on cost would be integrating the intervention into a mature healthcare service. Exit interviews with the expert team addressed ways to adapt the FamTechCare intervention for testing within the healthcare system (Williams, Shaw et al, 2020). The experts identified two methods for FamTechCare integration.…”

“…(Table 3). Additional details on the utilization of the video intervention by the FamTechCare group is reported elsewhere (Williams, Shaw et al, 2020).…”

“…Suggestions for the interventionist and expert team were based on qualitative exit interviews conducted with the expert panel (Williams, Shaw et al, 2020). The interventionist will be a registered nurse.…”