Piloting GETCare: A Goal-Based Education and Skills Training Program for Caregivers.

Area of Science:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Caregiver Support
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Informal caregivers of stroke survivors often lack adequate preparation and support.
• Caregiver burden and stress are significant issues in post-stroke recovery.
• There is a need for accessible and effective caregiver training programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the GETCare program, a remote, goal-based education and skills training intervention for informal stroke caregivers.
• To evaluate caregiver satisfaction and perceived helpfulness of program content.
• To identify factors influencing program completion.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm, mixed-methods pilot trial was conducted.
• The GETCare program involved a 5-week remote, individualized curriculum including education, skills training, and goal setting.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed using a deductive approach.

Main Results:

• 18 of 28 recruited caregivers completed the program, reporting high satisfaction.
• Over 75% of completers found the program content helpful.
• Caregivers found the program length appropriate and weekly check-ins beneficial; early-stage caregivers (0-4 months post-stroke) were more likely to drop out.

Conclusions:

• The GETCare program was positively received by informal stroke caregivers, demonstrating feasibility and acceptability.
• The program's structure, offering resources and skills, addresses the needs of this population.
• This pilot study offers valuable insights for developing future remote interventions to support stroke caregivers.