Lumini Maria José, Sousa Maria Rui, Salazar Berta, Martins Teresa
Nursing School of Porto, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviços de Saúde (CINTESIS), Rede de Investigação em Saúde (RISE), Porto, Portugal.
JMIR Form Res. 2023 Sep 25;7:e48398. doi: 10.2196/48398.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to health care systems, particularly impacting the older population due to their vulnerability and increased susceptibility to severe complications. Many of the most vulnerable individuals rely on informal caregivers, who play a vital role in enabling them to continue living in their homes. However, social isolation and limited access to health services during the pandemic have made caregiving more difficult. In response, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have emerged as a training and support solution for caregivers. This study focuses on a MOOC developed to assist caregivers during the pandemic, aiming to enhance their knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention measures and promote effective self-care practices.
The study's aim is to develop and validate a MOOC integrating personal and housing hygiene measures to be adopted in self-care-related activities, surveillance, and monitoring by caregivers of the most vulnerable home-dwelling-dependent people, to provide safe care and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A methodological study was developed. The content of the MOOC was developed based on scientific evidence and a Delphi study. The course was organized into 9 modules, addressing aspects related to safe self-care assistance and minimizing the risk of contagion. A convenience sample of 33 informal caregivers was recruited through a caregivers' association to verify the adequacy of the course. Knowledge questionnaires were administered before and after the course to assess the impact on caregivers' knowledge. The Family Caregiving Factors Inventory was used to evaluate caregiver resources, knowledge, expectations, and difficulties. Additionally, the technology acceptance model was applied to assess participants' satisfaction with the MOOC.
Prior to attending the MOOC, participants demonstrated an average knowledge level score of mean 14.94 (SD 2.72). After completing the course, this score significantly increased to mean 16.52 (SD 2.28), indicating an improvement in knowledge. Caregivers found the course accessible, valuable, and applicable to their caregiving roles. Feedback regarding the MOOC's structure, illustrative videos, and language was overwhelmingly positive. Participants perceived the course as a valuable resource for decision-making in care delivery, leading to enhanced self-esteem and confidence.
The MOOC has proven to be an effective tool for increasing caregivers' knowledge and empowering them in their roles. Remarkably, even low-literacy caregivers found the course valuable for its clear and understandable information. The MOOC demonstrated its adaptability to challenges faced during the pandemic, ensuring access to relevant information. This empowering strategy for caregivers has yielded positive outcomes. The MOOC represents a tool to support and empower informal caregivers, enabling them to provide optimal care during difficult times.
新冠疫情给医疗系统带来了巨大挑战，尤其对老年人群体产生了重大影响，因为他们较为脆弱，且更容易出现严重并发症。许多最脆弱的个体依赖非正式护理人员，这些护理人员在帮助他们居家生活方面发挥着至关重要的作用。然而，疫情期间的社会隔离以及获得医疗服务的机会有限，使得护理工作变得更加困难。作为应对措施，大规模在线开放课程（MOOC）已成为护理人员的一种培训和支持解决方案。本研究聚焦于在疫情期间开发的一门旨在帮助护理人员的MOOC，旨在增强他们对新冠病毒和预防措施的了解，并促进有效的自我护理实践。
本研究的目的是开发并验证一门整合个人和住房卫生措施的MOOC，供最脆弱的居家依赖人群的护理人员在自我护理相关活动、监测和监督中采用，以提供安全护理并预防新冠病毒感染。
开展了一项方法学研究。MOOC的内容是基于科学证据和德尔菲研究开发的。该课程分为9个模块，涉及安全自我护理协助以及将传染风险降至最低等方面。通过一个护理人员协会招募了33名非正式护理人员作为便利样本，以验证课程的适用性。在课程前后发放知识问卷，以评估对护理人员知识的影响。使用家庭护理因素量表来评估护理人员的资源、知识、期望和困难。此外，应用技术接受模型来评估参与者对MOOC的满意度。
在参加MOOC之前，参与者的平均知识水平得分为14.94（标准差2.72）。完成课程后，该分数显著提高至16.52（标准差2.28），表明知识有所提升。护理人员认为该课程易于理解、有价值且适用于他们的护理工作。关于MOOC的结构、演示视频和语言的反馈总体上是积极的。参与者将该课程视为护理决策中的宝贵资源，从而增强了自尊和信心。
事实证明，MOOC是增加护理人员知识并增强其角色能力的有效工具。值得注意的是，即使是文化程度较低的护理人员也认为该课程因其清晰易懂的信息而很有价值。MOOC展示了其对疫情期间所面临挑战的适应性，确保了获取相关信息的途径。这种增强护理人员能力的策略产生了积极成果。MOOC是一种支持和增强非正式护理人员能力的工具，使他们能够在困难时期提供最佳护理。
