Paper
Friday, July 23, 2004
Results From the Formative Evaluation of Nursense, an Integrated Remote Home Monitoring Sensor and Internet Support System for Working Family Caregivers of Frail Elders
Diane Mahoney, PhD, APRN, BC1, Barbara Tarlow, PhD, RN2, and Angela Goodridge, RN, BS1. (1) Research and Training Institute, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, Boston, MA, USA, (2) Research and Training Institute, Hebrew Rehabiliation Center for Aged, Boston, MA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Apply the findings to nursing informatic research and development |
| Learning Objective #2: Identify the role of the nursing process in home sensor monitoring of frail elders |
Objectives: To ascertain receptivity to a nursing informatic program that helps employees check on vulnerable elders at home during working hours via wireless technology linked to the workplace. To increase understanding about the barriers and facilitators to adoption of the technology. Design: 3 month Formative Evaluation of Nursense an automated sensor home monitoring and an Internet based family caregiver support program both accessed at the workplace; Sample: working family caregivers of frail elders recruited from New England, USA (n = 25); Conceptual model was based on Rogers’ adoption of technology model; Methods: Telephone semi-structured interviews of randomly chosen workers pre-site recruitment, eligible caregivers who requested discussion group participation but declined the home monitoring technology component, and all in the discussion group; Findings: Family refusal, not managerial concerns accounted for non-adoption. Relatives who refused were unanimously concerned that the monitoring would be intrusive. Perceived installation hassles also arose even though none of these families viewed the sensors or setup. Busyness at work was the prime reason for lack of discussion group usage and participants requested access outside of work time. Adoptees highly valued the independence enabled by the monitoring and suggestions from the discussion group. Business concerns of technology based time abuse did not occur. Conclusions: Educational outreach needs to extend beyond the caregiving dyad to include family members and directly address installation concerns and fears of interference with home routine. Subject testimonials, video demonstrations showing the equipment and ease of usage are necessary; Implications: Efforts needed, not only in technology development, but also in public education to offset negative perceptions of technology to enhance adoption by businesses, employees and their families. This project is funded by the US Dept of Commerce Technology Opportunity Program, 2002-04.
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