The experiences of informal caregivers of people with dementia in online psychoeducation programs: a systematic review and meta-synthesis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Informal caregivers of people living with dementia experience a higher level of physical and mental stress compared to other types of caregivers. Psychoeducation programs are viewed as beneficial for building caregivers’ knowledge and skills and decreasing caregiver stress. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to synthesize 1) experiences and perceptions of informal caregivers of people with dementia when participating in online psychoeducation programs; and 2) factors that enable and impede informal caregivers’ engagement in online psychoeducation programs. METHODS The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol of systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies (Prospero registration number: xxx) (anonymised for peer review). We searched four English databases, four Chinese databases and one Arabic database in July 2021. RESULTS A total of nine studies written in the English language were included in this review. From these studies, 87 findings were extracted and grouped into 20 categories. These categories were further synthesised into five findings: 1) online learning as an empowering experience; 2) peer support; 3) satisfactory and unsatisfactory program content; 4) satisfactory and unsatisfactory technical design; and 5) challenges encountered in online learning. CONCLUSIONS High quality and carefully designed online psychoeducation programs offered positive experiences for informal caregivers of people living with dementia. To meet broader caregiver education and support needs, program developers should consider information quality and relevancy, support offered, individual needs, flexibility in delivery and connectedness between peers and program facilitators. CLINICALTRIAL N/A