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Appl Clin Inform 2022; 13(05): 1181-1193
DOI: 10.1055/a-1962-5583
Research Article

Technology Acceptance of a Mobile Application to Support Family Caregivers in a Long-Term Care Facility

Hector Perez
1   Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
,
Antonio Miguel-Cruz
1   Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
2   Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
3   Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation & Technology (GRRIT) Hub, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
,
Christine Daum
1   Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
2   Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
,
Aidan K. Comeau
2   Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
,
Emily Rutledge
1   Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
,
Sharla King
4   Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
,
Lili Liu
1   Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
› Institutsangaben
Funding This study was funded by Alberta Innovates (AI) and The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). Agreement Number: G2019000525. Obtained by Lili Liu as Principal Investigator.
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Abstract

Background Family caregivers are unpaid individuals who provide care to people with chronic conditions or disabilities. Family caregivers generally do not have formal care-related training. However, they are an essential source of care. Mobile technologies can benefit family caregivers by strengthening communication with care staff and supporting the monitoring of care recipients.

Objective We conducted a mixed-method study to evaluate the acceptance and usability of a mobile technology called the Smart Care System.

Methods Using convenience sampling, we recruited 27 family caregivers to evaluate the mobile Smart Care System (mSCS). In the quantitative phase, we administered initial and exit questionnaires based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. In the qualitative phase, we conducted focus groups to explore family caregivers' perspectives and opinions on the usability of the mSCS. With the quantitative data, we employed univariate, bivariate, and partial least squares analyses, and we used content analysis with the qualitative data.

Results We observed a high level of comfort using digital technologies among participants. On average, participants were caregivers for an average of 6.08 years (standard deviation [SD] = 6.63), and their mean age was 56.65 years (SD = 11.62). We observed a high level of technology acceptance among family caregivers (7.69, SD = 2.11). Behavioral intention (β = 0.509, p-value = 0.004) and facilitating conditions (β = 0.310, p-value = 0.049) were statistically significant and related to usage behavior. In terms of qualitative results, participants reported that the mobile application supported care coordination and communication with staff and provided peace of mind to family caregivers.

Conclusion The technology showed high technology acceptance and intention to use among family caregivers in a long-term care setting. Facilitating conditions influenced acceptance. Therefore, it would be important to identify and optimize these conditions to ensure technology uptake.

Keywords

Technology - Mobile Technologies - Caregivers - Older Adults - Long-Term Care - Usability - Evaluation - Mixed Methods

Author Contributions

A.M.C. and L.L. led the overall design of the evaluation. C.D. also contributed to the plan. E.R. and A.C. conducted the data analysis supervised by A.M.C. and H.P. H.P., C.D., A.M.C., and E.R. led the data collection and implementation of the evaluation. H.P. and A.M.C. drafted the manuscript, and C.D., E.R., S.,K, A.C., and L.L. edited and contributed to the manuscript. L.L. was the principal investigator and the grant holder of this study.


Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

The study was performed in compliance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects and was reviewed and approved by the University of Alberta Institutional Review Board, protocol no.: Pro00095093.


Supplementary Material



Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 12. Juni 2022

Angenommen: 15. Oktober 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
18. Oktober 2022

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
21. Dezember 2022

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