Implementation and acceptability of the Caregiver Care Model in general practice: a mixed-method feasibility study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Caregiver Support
• Mental Health

Background:

• Caregiving is demanding, necessitating support systems.
• The Caregiver Care Model was developed for general practice settings.
• The model includes a dialogue questionnaire, grief-facilitating questions, and a resource list for community-based initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the implementation and acceptability of the Caregiver Care Model in general practice.
• To evaluate the model's effectiveness in identifying and addressing caregiver support needs.

Main Methods:

• A convergent mixed-methods approach was used in five general practices.
• Data were collected from 40 caregivers and ten health professionals.
• Analysis focused on implementation, delivery, process, and health professional acceptability.

Main Results:

• Most caregivers (73%) attended multiple consultations.
• The dialogue questionnaire was useful for directing consultations, though its usefulness varied by setting.
• Referrals were made to community initiatives and psychologists, particularly in urban areas.

Conclusions:

• The Caregiver Care Model aligns with general practice values and effectively targets caregiver needs.
• Health professionals provided targeted support, with a focus on urban caregivers for community referrals.
• Increased focus and education are needed for general practitioners and staff to manage caregiver grief and loss.