Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Nov 3, 2020
Date Accepted: Mar 16, 2021
Feasibility of an online psychoeducation course and experiences of caregivers living with a person with schizophrenia spectrum disorder: a mixed methods study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that causes burden for both patients and caregivers.
Objective:
To examine the feasibility of an online psychoeducation course targeted at caregivers of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and to describe their experiences of living with a person with SSD based on the material caregivers produced during the online course.
Methods:
A convergent parallel mixed methods study design was used. First, caregivers’ engagement in the course was evaluated quantitatively. Second, the overview of the feedback of the course was evaluated by using quantitative and qualitative methods. Third, the experiences of being a caregiver of a person with SSD were analysed qualitatively with thematic analysis using course material portrayed in writings during the online course.
Results:
Thirty caregivers participated the study and an online psychoeducation course. Less than two-thirds (18/30, 60%) completed the course. The most often logged content was for the first module “Orientation” (3,465 logins), and the least visited was “Daily life” (1,061 logins). Feedback on the course varied: over half (10/17, 59%) considered the content to be very good or good; about half (9/17, 53%) considered the website layout to be good, only 6% (1/17) felt that the usability of the website was poor, and no one felt it was very poor. From the reported experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD, three main themes were formed: 1) The caregiver’s own wellbeing, 2) Relationship with the person with SSD, and 3) Experience of healthcare services.
Conclusions:
The online psychoeducation course for caregivers living with a person with schizophrenia spectrum disorder seems to be especially suitable for those who have little experience as a caregiver. In the future, more planning and consideration of aspects related to the needs of specific target groups, course content, practical arrangements and scheduling should be taken into account. In addition, even though caregivers can improve their own wellbeing in versatile ways, they need regular support and to cooperate with health care professionals.
Citation
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Copyright
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