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Implementing a peer-support programme by group videoconferencing for isolated carers of people with dementia
Banbury A, Parkinson L, Gordon S, Wood D.. Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 2019-10-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Introduction Carers support programmes are commonly delivered in person, limiting attendance opportunities for rural carers and others who have access barriers. Studies using technology typically use text-based forums rather than real-time technology such as videoconferencing (VC). Delivering home-based carers support programmes by VC may mitigate barriers for accessing support. We report implementation findings for delivering a telehealth peer-support programme for isolated carers of people with dementia. Methods Participants were recruited through aged care providers, peak bodies and media activities. Inclusion criteria were primary dementia caregiver with Internet access and being socially or geographically isolated. The study design was a staggered randomised waitlist design. Measures included the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) and selected scales from the e-Health Literacy Questionnaire. Recruitment activities utilised digital processes. Participants completed a six-week programme delivered by VC. Qualitative data comprised logs detailing administration and IT procedures and difficulties. Post programme, 28 participants undertook semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results There were 16 groups comprising 69 participants located throughout Australia, with 87% using their own devices. Technical issues were few but included connection problems, which were compounded by low digital literacy skills. Qualitative data themes included changing perceptions in using technology, differences in communicating by VC and technical support required. Recruitment activities were time-consuming and would benefit from IT tailored for group-based work. Eight groups continued to meet on a self-organised basis. Discussion Providing peer-support groups using telehealth may have the potential to develop self-sustaining peer networks for isolated caregivers of people with dementia.
Key findings
- Results There were 16 groups comprising 69 participants located throughout Australia, with 87% using their own devices.
Why it matters
A peer-support programme delivered by group videoconferencing reached 69 isolated carers of people with dementia across Australia, with few technical issues. This is about supporting carers, not about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Participants28
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 47/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of telemedicine and telecare) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare: journal h-index 116 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2019 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 28 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 56 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.2 citations a year over 9 year(s) since 2019 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 21 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Denise Wood: h-index 19 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | The University of Queensland: institution h-index 1,516 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 31631761) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 47 / 100 | — |
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APA 7th
Banbury, A., Parkinson, L., Gordon, S., & Wood, D. (2019). Implementing a peer-support programme by group videoconferencing for isolated carers of people with dementia. Journal of telemedicine and telecare. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633x19873793
Vancouver
Banbury A, Parkinson L, Gordon S, Wood D. Implementing a peer-support programme by group videoconferencing for isolated carers of people with dementia. Journal of telemedicine and telecare. 2019. doi:10.1177/1357633x19873793. PMID: 31631761.
BibTeX
@article{banbury2019-31631761,
author = {Banbury, A. and Parkinson, L. and Gordon, S. and Wood, D.},
title = {{Implementing a peer-support programme by group videoconferencing for isolated carers of people with dementia}},
journal = {Journal of telemedicine and telecare},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1177/1357633x19873793},
pmid = {31631761},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633x19873793}
}
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