OBJECTIVES. With funding from NIMH and NINR, State of the Art produced three documentary videos and a patient organizer on home care for children, adults, and older adults. The session will present the methodology used to develop the materials and evaluation of materials’ effectiveness. METHODS. Through documentary profiles and expert commentary, the videos model effective homecare for chronically and critically ill people, and address the needs of caregivers and care recipients. The organizer is designed to help caregivers maintain records about care recipients' care providers, medications, and condition. The materials were developed using qualitative and quantitative research methods, which will be described. Quantitative evaluation of the materials was conducted using a pretest/posttest control group design with a sample of 200 caregivers recruited through home care agencies, who were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. RESULTS. Participants in the intervention group made significantly greater progress than did control group participants on 32 items used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to their home care situations. The control group showed no significant progress on any of the items at the posttest. The materials were equally effective irrespective of caregivers' age, sex, race, or relationship to the home care recipient. CONCLUSIONS. The Home Care video series and patient organizer are useful health education tools for caregivers. The materials were subsequently used to develop a broadcast TV special, "Caregivers: The Heart of Homecare" and an Internet website, the Home Care Organizer Online, for caregiver communication and support.
Learning Objectives: 1. List three challenges to caregivers of home care recipients. 2. Discuss strategies for successful home care. 3. Describe methodology for evaluating a video's effectiveness.
Keywords: Home Care, Media
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: State of the Art, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment