Zheng, Y., Head, B.A., & Schapmire, T.J. (2016). A systematic review of telehealth in palliative care: Caregiver outcomes. Telemedicine Journal and e-Health, 22, 288–294.
DOI Link
Purpose
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate caregiver outcomes related to telehealth interventions in palliative care
TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review
Search Strategy
Literature Evaluated
Sample Characteristics
- FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 9
- TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 527
- SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 8–217
- KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: One study included patients with cancer. Four studies were of patients in hospice.
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
- PHASE OF CARE: End-of-life care
- APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Results
Four studies used videophones for communication with medical professionals, and two used telephones for counseling. Two studies showed a reduction in caregiver anxiety with the intervention. One study showed a significant reduction in caregiver burden, and one showed no difference in caregiver burden measures. Individual studies also showed improved family function, reduction in caregiver negative mood, decreased depression over time, and reduced stress over time among caregivers. Overall, 66.7% showed positive effects of the interventions. All studies concluded that the approach was feasible, and most revealed that caregivers were satisfied with the intervention.
Conclusions
Telehealth interventions might improve the caregiving experience. Additional research in this area is needed.
Limitations
- Mostly low quality/high risk of bias studies
- Low sample sizes
- The content of interventions is not well described.
Nursing Implications
Telehealth intervention approaches may be an effective way to deliver various aspects of care and caregiver interventions. This can be a practical alternative to other approaches, particularly for caregivers in rural or underserved communities. Additional research is warranted to also identify the most effective components of these types of interventions.