Abstract
Despite advances in virtual technology, many hospital nurses still widely use bedside, face-to-face teaching to prepare family caregivers for hospital discharge of their loved ones (Gatto & Newcomb, 2022; Hayajneh et al., 2020). In this pilot study, we investigated facilitators and barriers in using Communication, Learning, Advocacy, Resources and Expertise (CLARE), a digital application to support caregivers for hospital discharge. CLARE contained materials on hospital discharge preparation such as information on patient care and caregiver self-care. Twenty caregivers participated in individual interviews to explore their experiences in using CLARE. We used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (Venkatesh et al., 2003) as a guiding framework in developing interview questions and analyzing caregiver responses. For many caregivers, the idea of using a caregiver-specific app was unfamiliar and represented a new experience, and a novel concept. Several caregivers expressed excitement at the prospect of using an app designed to support their caregiving role, seeing it as a promising new tool. Facilitators in using CLARE included available assistance in downloading the app. Caregivers also liked the daily reminders that CLARE provided to improve patient care at home. Many found the app to be "easier than initially expected" and "easy to navigate," with tasks described as "very simple" and "straightforward." Caregivers appreciated that the app helped them "stay in tune with things," providing "tips and reminders" for patient care, as well as valuable information on self-care. The barriers ranged from technological challenges to personal and logistical constraints. Some caregivers found that using an app, in addition to their daily tasks, added complexity to their already busy schedules. Many caregivers noted that they would like the app to offer more feedback, such as direct responses to their inputs and questions to provide a more interactive experience. As the world’s aging population exponentially grows (World Health Organization, 2024), the number of caregivers will continue to rise as well (Kong, n.d.). Hospitals need to discover ways to integrate technology to support caregivers for home discharge for enhanced efficiency and access.
Notes
References:
Gatto, D., & Newcomb, P. (2022). Impressions of Conventional Bedside Discharge Teaching Among Readmitted Heart Failure Patients. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 52(9), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000001186
Hayajneh, A. A., Hweidi, I. M., & Abu Dieh, M. W. (2020). Nurses’ knowledge, perception and practice toward discharge planning in acute care settings: A systematic review. Nursing Open, 7(5), 1313–1320. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.547
Kong, H. (n.d.). International Alliance of Carer Organizations Global State of Caring. https://internationalcarers.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IACO-Global-State-of-Caring-July-13.pdf
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
World Health Organization. (2024, October 1). Ageing and Health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Sigma Membership
Beta Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Pilot/Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Testing Strategies, Virtual Learning, Patient Education, Caregiver Education, Hospital Discharge, Technology
Recommended Citation
Hendrix, Cristina C. and Wang, Dingyue, "Facilitators and Barriers in Using Technology in Caregiver Support for Hospital Discharge" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 215.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/215
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Facilitators and Barriers in Using Technology in Caregiver Support for Hospital Discharge
Seattle, Washington, USA
Despite advances in virtual technology, many hospital nurses still widely use bedside, face-to-face teaching to prepare family caregivers for hospital discharge of their loved ones (Gatto & Newcomb, 2022; Hayajneh et al., 2020). In this pilot study, we investigated facilitators and barriers in using Communication, Learning, Advocacy, Resources and Expertise (CLARE), a digital application to support caregivers for hospital discharge. CLARE contained materials on hospital discharge preparation such as information on patient care and caregiver self-care. Twenty caregivers participated in individual interviews to explore their experiences in using CLARE. We used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (Venkatesh et al., 2003) as a guiding framework in developing interview questions and analyzing caregiver responses. For many caregivers, the idea of using a caregiver-specific app was unfamiliar and represented a new experience, and a novel concept. Several caregivers expressed excitement at the prospect of using an app designed to support their caregiving role, seeing it as a promising new tool. Facilitators in using CLARE included available assistance in downloading the app. Caregivers also liked the daily reminders that CLARE provided to improve patient care at home. Many found the app to be "easier than initially expected" and "easy to navigate," with tasks described as "very simple" and "straightforward." Caregivers appreciated that the app helped them "stay in tune with things," providing "tips and reminders" for patient care, as well as valuable information on self-care. The barriers ranged from technological challenges to personal and logistical constraints. Some caregivers found that using an app, in addition to their daily tasks, added complexity to their already busy schedules. Many caregivers noted that they would like the app to offer more feedback, such as direct responses to their inputs and questions to provide a more interactive experience. As the world’s aging population exponentially grows (World Health Organization, 2024), the number of caregivers will continue to rise as well (Kong, n.d.). Hospitals need to discover ways to integrate technology to support caregivers for home discharge for enhanced efficiency and access.
Description
The presentation will describe facilitators and barriers on the integration of technology for caregiver support during the hospital to home transition.