1 Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
2 Department of Human Development and Family Studies,The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA.
J Appl Gerontol. 2019 Sep;38(9):1304-1318. doi: 10.1177/0733464817705959. Epub 2017 Apr 24.
While dementia caregivers are regarded as a population with high unmet needs, there is little consensus as to how caregivers' needs should be conceptualized and measured. This article describes how dementia caregivers' needs are currently assessed in the scientific literature with the goal of suggesting guidelines for the enhancement of future measurement of caregiver needs. A review of 26 articles identified overarching themes within measurement approaches including variation in methodological rigor, proxy indicators of need, dual needs assessment of caregiver and person with dementia (PWD), and third-party needs assessment. We recommend future research dedicate theoretical attention to the conceptualization and classification of caregivers' needs to build a stronger foundation for measurement. The measurement development process should capitalize on mixed-methodology and follow instrument development and validation guidelines set forth by measurement theory. Reliable and valid instruments are essential to developing services and policies that address dementia caregivers' needs.
虽然痴呆症护理人员被认为是一个有高度未满足需求的群体，但对于如何概念化和衡量护理人员的需求，尚未达成共识。本文描述了目前在科学文献中如何评估痴呆症护理人员的需求，旨在为未来衡量护理人员需求的方法提供指导。对 26 篇文章的回顾确定了测量方法中的总体主题，包括方法严谨性的变化、需求的代理指标、护理人员和痴呆症患者（PWD）的双重需求评估，以及第三方需求评估。我们建议未来的研究在概念化和分类护理人员的需求方面投入理论关注，为测量奠定更坚实的基础。测量开发过程应利用混合方法，并遵循测量理论规定的仪器开发和验证准则。可靠和有效的工具对于制定服务和政策以满足痴呆症护理人员的需求至关重要。
