Caring~Web

Description:

Caring~Web is designed for caregivers and survivors of stroke to provide general educational information and support. The site contains multiple components to help as many caregivers as possible who have potentially diverse characteristics and needs. The following components are included: (i) Caregiving Tips, which provide customised information on topics such as exercise, fall prevention, nutrition, pain management, etc. (ii) "Ask the Nurse" which gives you the opportunity to email a specialist nurse, (iii) Educational Links providing access to a wide range of other web sites containing information related to stroke, caring, and caregivers, (iv) links to activities including jokes, greeting cards, and games, (v) links to news provided through national newspapers, (vi) "Stroke News" comprising the top news stories related to stroke from MedWire News, updated daily. You are able to browse all components of the site in any order and access as much or as little as you like.

Service URL:

http://www.caringweb.utoledo.edu

Agency Responsible:

University of Toledo.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Educational (primarily educational material or psychoeducation).

Course Length:

Short (less than 1 module or equivalent). No set course

Support Option:

Clinical support. Provided by a specialist nurse

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Carers. Provides support following stroke

Target Audience:

Adult. Caregivers and survivors of stroke

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: No registration required.

Contact Details:

Unknown.

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

A trial comparing users of the Caring~Web site to non-web users found that there were significantly fewer emergency department visits and hospital readmissions for stroke survivors in the Caring~Web group. No significant differences were found between the groups on measures of carer wellbeing (depression, life satisfaction). These results provide some preliminary evidence that Caring~Web might be effective in reducing healthcare service use. However, the intervention assessed in this trial included facilitated email discussion among web users, which is not currently a component of the Caring~Web site. Further study is required.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Efficacy studies

1. Pierce, L. L., Steiner, V. L., Khuder, S. A., Govoni, A. L., Horn, L. J. (2009). The effect of a Web-based stroke intervention on carers' well-being and survivors' use of healthcare services. Disability and Rehabilitation, 31(20), 1676-1684.

Additional References

1. Keaton, L., Pierce, L., Steiner, V., Lance, K., Masterson, M., Rice, M., & Smith, J. (2004). An e-rehabilitation team helps caregivers deal with stroke. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 2(4).
2. Pierce LL, Steiner V, Govoni AL, Hicks B, Cervantez Thompson TL, Friedemann ML. (2004). Internet-based support for rural caregivers of persons with stroke shows promise. Rehabilitation Nursing, 29(3), 95-99, 103.
3. Steiner, V., Pierce, L., Windnagel, F., Martincin, K., Pawlak, R., & Salvador, D. (2009). The impact of a web-based caregiver intervention on the reasons stroke survivors use health care services during the first year post treatment. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 16(2), 122-132.
4. Steiner, V., Pierce, L., Drahuschak, S., Nofziger, E., Buchman, B., & Szirony, T. (2008). Emotional support, physical help, and health of caregivers of stroke survivors. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 40(1), 48-52.
5. Steiner, V., Pierce, L., & Herceg, N. (2004). Evaluation of Caring~Web© by adult computer students. The Journal on Information Technology in Healthcare, 2(1), 41–53.
6. Steiner, V., & Pierce, L. (2002). Building a Web of support for caregivers of persons with stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 9(3), 102-111.