The Experiences of Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia in Web-Based Psychoeducation Programs: Systematic Review and Metasynthesis

Abstract

Background Informal caregivers of people living with dementia experience a higher level of physical and mental stress compared with other types of caregivers. Psychoeducation programs are viewed as beneficial for building caregivers’ knowledge and skills and for decreasing caregiver stress. Objective This review aimed to synthesize the experiences and perceptions of informal caregivers of people with dementia when participating in web-based psychoeducation programs and the factors that enable and impede informal caregivers’ engagement in web-based psychoeducation programs. Methods This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol of systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies. We searched 4 English databases, 4 Chinese databases, and 1 Arabic database in July 2021. Results A total of 9 studies written in English were included in this review. From these studies, 87 findings were extracted and grouped into 20 categories. These categories were further synthesized into 5 findings: web-based learning as an empowering experience, peer support, satisfactory and unsatisfactory program content, satisfactory and unsatisfactory technical design, and challenges encountered in web-based learning. Conclusions High-quality and carefully designed web-based 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, the support offered, individual needs, flexibility in delivery, and connectedness between peers and program facilitators.