title: Usage and design evaluation by family caregivers of a stroke intervention web site.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Four of five families are affected by stroke. Many caregivers access the Internet and gather healthcare information from Web-based sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this descriptive evaluation was to assess the usage and design of the Caring∼Web site, which provides education/support for family caregivers of persons with stroke residing in home settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six caregivers from two Midwest states accessed this intervention in a 1-year study. The average participant was 54 years old, White, woman, and the spouse of the care recipient.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a telephone interview, four Web site questions were asked twice a month/bimonthly, and a 33-item survey at the conclusion of the study evaluated the Web site usage and design of its components. Descriptive analysis methods were used, and statistics were collected on the number of visits to the Web site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, participants logged on to the Web site 1-2 hours per week, although usage declined after several months for some participants. Participants positively rated the Web site's appearance and usability that included finding the training to be adequate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Web site designers can replicate this intervention for other health conditions.
authors.affiliation: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Linda L. Pierce, PhD RN CNS CRRN FAHA FAAN, at l.pierce@utoledo.edu. She is a Professor at the College of Nursing, University of Toledo, OH. Victoria Steiner, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Toledo, OH.
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000379:methods; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
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