The role of internet-based digital tools in reducing social isolation and addressing support needs among informal caregivers: a scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundIn Canada, 8.1 million people informally provide care without payment, primarily to family members; 6.1 million of them are employed at a full-time or part-time job. Digital technologies, such as internet-based tools, can provide informal caregivers’ access to information and support. This scoping review aimed to explore the role of internet-based digital tools in reducing social isolation and addressing support needs among informal caregivers.MethodsA systematic search for relevant peer-reviewed literature was conducted of four electronic databases, guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. An extensive search for relevant grey literature was also conducted.ResultsThe screening process yielded twenty-three papers. The following themes were generated from the reviewed studies: searching for and receiving support; gaining a sense of social inclusion and belonging; and benefits and challenges of web-based support. The studies noted that, to connect with peers and obtain social support, informal caregivers often turn to online platforms. By engaging with peers in online communities, these caregivers reported regaining a sense of social inclusion and belonging.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that internet-based digital tools can be a cost-effective and convenient way to develop programs that help unpaid caregivers form communities, gain support, and access resources. Service providers can leverage digital tools to deliver support to caregivers within online communities.

Habits and Attitudes of Video Gaming and Information Technology Use in People with Schizophrenia: Cross-Sectional Survey

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Digital health support – a good thing, but not for me: experiences of family caregivers and healthcare staff

“…Family caregivers in Iran have been found to have a poor level of eHealth literacy and those with higher eHealth literacy were found to have higher skills in obtaining health and medical information from the internet (Soleimaninejad et al, 2019) ICT for supporting relatives and family caregivers Although most studies in ICT support are related to those directed at patients, there is some evidence of ICT approaches directed at relatives of patients who are affected by various different diseases and conditions, that is, relatives of patients who are affected by cancer (Leow & Chan, 2016;Morris et al, 2018;Tang et al, 2014) and relatives of older people (Barbabella et al, 2016). Internet-based support for family caregivers could be beneficial in that it could result in a sense of inclusion and belonging (Newman et al, 2019), but no evaluated IT approaches for supporting relatives of patients affected by COPD were found.…”

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