Trialling an Online UK Dementia Awareness for Caregivers Course

Feasibility of recruitment, considered feasible if full sample successfully recruited within 6 month time frame

75% considered indicative of a feasible study design

75% considered indicative of feasible and acceptable outcome measures

60% considered indicative of feasible and acceptable intervention

Exploratory thematic analysis

Exploratory outcome measure - questionnaire. The short-form Zarit burden inventory (ZBI) is a 12-item questionnaire that measures caregiver's perceived burden as a result of their role. Each item is scored from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always) where a low score is indicative of a low sense of burden. The ZBI is one of the most commonly used measures for burden in the field and has been shown to have high levels of validity and reliability.

Exploratory outcome measure - questionnaire. The carer version of the quality of the caregiver patient relationships (QCPR) is a 14-question survey that captures the positive and negative aspects of the caregiving relationship. The questions are scored on a 5-point Likert scale where 1 is totally disagree and 5 is totally agree. Six items are reversed scored (2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 13). A score of less than 42 is considered indicative of a poor caregiver-patient relationship, a score of 42-56 is labelled as a standard relationship, with scores of higher than 56 indicating a good relationship. Reliability and validity of the QCPR have been found to be high.

Exploratory outcome measure - questionnaire. The gain in Alzheimer's care instrument (GAIN) comprises of 10 questions that cover the possible positive aspects of a caregiving role in terms of relationship with the person living with dementia, self-reflection and personal development. Each question is scored from 0 to 5 (disagree a lot to agree a lot) where a high score suggests a high level of positive gain from caregiving. This tool has been found to be valid and reliable for use.

Exploratory outcome measure - questionnaire. The approaches to dementia questionnaire (ADQ-19) is a 19-question survey that measures an individual's attitudes towards dementia and people living with dementia. Each question is scored on a five-point Likert scale from 0 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree). Reverse scoring is used on items 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and an overall high score indicates positive attitudes towards dementia and person living with dementia. The ADQ-19 has been shown to have good reliability (α=0.76 for hope, α=0.85 for person-centredness) and validity when compared with similar measures and qualitative observations.

Exploratory outcome measure - questionnaire. The short sense of competence questionnaire (SSCQ) is a 7-item questionnaire that measures an individual's sense of competence in their role as a caregiver. Each item is scored on a five-point Likert scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is agree strongly and 5 is disagree strongly. Scores can range from 7 to 35 with higher scores indicating a greater sense of competence/satisfaction. The SSCQ has been found to have high construct validity (r=0.88) when compared to the original sense of competence questionnaire and alongside this, high reliability (α=0.76).