Psychological outcomes of eCare technologies use for informal carers: A scoping study
K. Smole-Orehek, S. Hvalič-Touzery, A. Petrovčič, V. Dolničar, M. Debevc, I. Kožuh
Full text PDF 
( Download count: 1339)
AbstractBackground: The use of eCare technologies could address some of the challenges related to demographic changes and decreased care potential. However, little is known about eCare technologies’ potential in relation to the psychological outcomes for informal carers. Research
aim: This study aims to provide an overview of the psychological outcomes of eCare technologies use for informal carers. Methodology A scoping study was done, where peer reviewed papers, written in English, investigating the use of eCare technologies in informal care and their psychological outcomes on informal carers, were included. Non-scientifc studies, and studies which focused on psychological counselling or training through the Internet or phone, were excluded. The data search was conducted in Academic search complete, Scopus, ProQuest and Science Direct databases, from 12 October 2017 to 17 October 2017 and included 16 studies published since 2013. Results Six psychological outcomes were identifed (peace of mind, reassurance, anxiety, depression, stress and
burden). Out of those psychological outcomes, positive outcomes of eCare technologies
use for informal carers were counted 37 times and negative outcomes only eight, suggesting a positive prevalent pattern of eCare technologies use for informal carers. Conclusion： The outlined interplay between the positive and negative psychological outcomes suggest that the use of eCare technologies in informal care warrants further research, for instance whether the eCare technologies actually fulfl older people and informal carers’ needs.Keywords: Telecare, ageing, long-term care, psychological outcomes, informal care
K. Smole-Orehek, S. Hvalič-Touzery, A. Petrovčič, V. Dolničar, M. Debevc, I. Kožuh (2019). Psychological outcomes of eCare technologies use for informal carers: A scoping study. Gerontechnology, 18(1), 15-28
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2019.18.1.002.00