Telehealth Powerful Tools for Caregivers Effectiveness Study

The purpose of this research is to examine the efficacy of telehealth as a delivery format for an education-based caregiver wellness program focusing on self-care. The study will examine two research questions. 1) Are outcomes equivalent for caregivers in an education based-wellness program delivered via telehealth and one delivered in person as measured by a general rating of health, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - Revised (CESD-R), self-care behaviors (health self-care neglect, frequency of stress management and relaxation activities, and exercise frequency), self-efficacy, use of community resources, and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS)? 2) Is class attendance equivalent for classes delivered via telehealth and in person? This research involves a specific education-based caregiver wellness program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC). PTC is an evidence-based six-week program that addresses caregiver health by promoting self-care. Collaborating community organizations offer the program at little to no cost. This study will employ a quasi-experimental nonequivalent pretest-posttest design to compare outcomes from in-person to telehealth delivered PTC classes. PTC classes are conducted by a pair of class leaders who model concepts. Each pair of class leaders will conduct both a telehealth and in-person PTC class. Collaborating community organizations will recruit 105 caregivers to attend PTC classes delivered by 7 pairs of class leaders. Telehealth classes will use VSee software to allow caregivers to participate in the PTC program synchronously via secure videoconferencing from their own home. VSee is a free software program designed to deliver secure telehealth services. Class leaders will guide participants in installation of the software on their home computer. Participants will undergo assessment one week before and one week after the PTC program, and at six-month follow up. Outcome measures replicate previous PTC research and add additional outcomes meaningful to caregiver wellness. Statistical analysis will include descriptive statistics and a mixed design analysis of variance including repeated measures to examine differences in the variables of interest over time.