Martindale-Adams Jennifer, Stark Deanna, Zuber Jeffrey, Scariano Linda, Green April, Nichols Linda O
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.
Caregiver Center, VA Medical Center Memphis, Memphis, USA.
J Technol Behav Sci. 2023 Jan 19:1-7. doi: 10.1007/s41347-022-00294-y.
Self-care improves health and well-being, yet many caregivers neglect it. During COVID-19, self-care courses for caregivers of veterans transitioned from in-person to virtual videoconferencing. The format remained the same with caregiver groups and a trainer. This observational study examined in-person and virtual caregivers' satisfaction with courses. Caregivers (1120 in-person, 962 virtual) could attend five courses before and following March 2020 transition to virtual. Evaluations ( = 1665) examined demographics, satisfaction, and utility. Characteristics were compared between in-person and virtual participants using chi-squared tests. Qualitative caregiver comments were compared. Half of the caregivers were over 60 years old; 49% had been caregivers at least 6 years. Caregivers were primarily women (91%) and spouses (75%), with more spouses virtually ( = 0.006) and more men in-person ( < 0.001). Both groups endorsed learning new information, planning to use it in caregiving and for themselves, increasing knowledge and skills, and having needs met. Caregiver comments revealed six types of benefits: new information, information review, positive effects, interaction, plans to act, and instructor qualities. Caregivers in virtual groups more often mentioned learning more information, being reminded of information, and planning to take further action; in-person caregivers more often mentioned interaction as a benefit. Caregivers were satisfied with and found benefit from in-person and virtual self-care courses. Although in-person courses allow for more social connection with others, virtual courses offer decreased travel costs for instructors and increased convenience and access for caregivers.
自我护理可改善健康状况和幸福感，但许多护理人员却忽视了它。在新冠疫情期间，退伍军人护理人员的自我护理课程从面对面教学转变为虚拟视频会议形式。课程形式保持不变，仍有护理人员小组和一名培训师。这项观察性研究调查了面对面和虚拟教学模式下护理人员对课程的满意度。在2020年3月向虚拟教学转变之前和之后，护理人员（1120名面对面参与者，962名虚拟参与者）均可参加五门课程。评估（n = 1665）调查了人口统计学特征、满意度和实用性。使用卡方检验比较了面对面和虚拟参与者之间的特征。对护理人员的定性评论进行了比较。一半的护理人员年龄超过60岁；49%的人担任护理人员至少6年。护理人员主要为女性（91%）和配偶（75%），虚拟教学模式下配偶比例更高（p = 0.006），面对面教学模式下男性比例更高（p < 0.001）。两组人员都认可学习新信息、计划在护理工作及自身生活中运用所学、增加知识和技能以及需求得到满足。护理人员的评论揭示了六种益处：新信息、信息回顾、积极影响、互动、行动计划和教师素质。虚拟小组中的护理人员更常提到学到更多信息、被提醒相关信息以及计划采取进一步行动；面对面教学模式下的护理人员更常将互动视为一种益处。护理人员对面对面和虚拟自我护理课程都感到满意并从中受益。虽然面对面课程能让人与他人有更多社交联系，但虚拟课程为教师降低了差旅成本，为护理人员增加了便利性和可及性。
