Evaluation of an online toolkit for carers of people with a life-limiting illness at the end-of-life: health professionals’ perspectives
D. Parker
A , P. Hudson B C E , J. Tieman D , K. Thomas B , D. Saward B and S. Ivynian A F
A Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
B Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
C Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
D Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
E Vrije University, Brussels, Belgium.
F Corresponding author. Email: serra.ivynian@uts.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 27(6) 473-478 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY21019
Submitted: 1 February 2021 Accepted: 3 June 2021 Published: 22 November 2021
Journal Compilation © La Trobe University 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Carers of people with a life-limiting illness report unmet information, practical, and emotional support needs, and are often unaware of services available to help improve preparedness, wellbeing, and reduce strain. CarerHelp is the first e-health toolkit that focuses on the information and support needs of carers of people with a life-limiting illness at the end-of-life, using a pathway approach. This study investigated the usefulness of CarerHelp, from the perspective of health professionals who care for these people. Through a 10-min online survey, health professionals provided feedback about their user experience and perceived usefulness of the website. Their expert opinion was sought to ascertain whether CarerHelp could increase carers’ preparedness and confidence to support the person for whom they are caring and thereby improve carers’ own psychological wellbeing. Health professionals also evaluated whether CarerHelp adequately raised awareness of support services available. CarerHelp was perceived as a useful resource for increasing preparedness for the caring role, including physical tasks and emotional support. Health professionals reported that CarerHelp would increase carers’ knowledge of services, confidence to care and ability for self-care. Health professionals endorsed CarerHelp as a useful information source, guide for support, and would promote CarerHelp to clients and their families.
Keywords: carer strain, palliative care, home death, e-health, end of life, carers, terminally ill, e-resource.
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