篇名 | 失智症照顧者使用遠距照護支援系統經驗之先導研究 |
---|---|
卷期 | 20:3 |
並列篇名 | A Pilot Study of the Telecare Medical Support System as an Intervention in Dementia Care: The Views and Experiences of Primary Caregivers |
作者 | 周歆凱 、 甄瑞興 、 林怡君 、 蔡明足 、 陳楚杰 、 翁林仲 |
頁次 | 169-180 |
關鍵字 | 失智症 、 遠距照護支援系統 、 科技輔助 、 醫療資訊 、 MEDLINE 、 Scopus 、 SSCI 、 TSCI 、 TSSCI 、 SCIE |
出刊日期 | 201209 |
Background: As a progressive degenerative illness, dementia can reveal itself through a variety of symptoms such as intellectual deterioration, loss of recent memory, loss of cognitive ability, and psychological and behavioral problems. The telecare medical support system (TMSS) has been a part of dementia care in many countries for many years. Although worth considering, the TMSS model is difficult to directly implement in Taiwan because of cultural and social issues.
Purpose: This study explores the ease of use and usefulness of TMSS from the perspective of primary caregivers and assesses the benefits of TMSS in home dementia care.
Methods: We used a qualitative research method to explore the experience and perceptions of 30 primary caregivers who each used TMSS for 6 months in dementia care. Data were collected using 1-hour in-depth interviews. Four senior nurses conducted the content analysis.
Results: Approximately two thirds (63.3%) of the participants were primary caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the mild to medium stage of their illness. After using TMSS for the 6-month study period, participants held generally positive views of its usefulness and ease of use. Participants generally appreciated the ability of TMSS to self-diagnose care recipient conditions; provide reminders, care, and emotional support; and help stabilize the care recipient’s condition and emotions.
Conclusions: We showed TMSS as an effective tool that helps reduce primary caregiver isolation and uncertainty and provides round-the-clock care management and safety checks using advanced technology and a professional care team. TMSS can effectively enhance dementia care.