Supporting community carers via videoconferencing.
We provided support, practical advice and networking opportunities for carers in rural and remote areas of Western Australia through the use of videoconferencing. The first videoconference for carers occurred in June 2004. In the next 12 months there were 11 videoconferences with 11 rural towns. Some sessions were point-to-point and some were multipoint. Over 90 carers participated in the sessions. A facilitator with expertise on stress in carers delivered the sessions from Perth. The acceptance of videoconferencing as a support medium by the carers attending was positive and there were requests for the sessions to be continued. The skills of the facilitator to connect in a very personal way with each person were important to the success of the programme.
Van Ast
Penny
P
WA Country Health Services, Health Service Development, WA 6531, Midwest Murchison, Australia. Penny.VanAst@health.wa.gov.au
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000523:psychology*; D049269:Videoconferencing; D014904:Western Australia