title: Brief online surveys to monitor and evaluate facilitated peer support groups for caregivers of children with special needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been few systematic evaluations of experiences of participating in peer support groups for parents and other caregivers of children with special needs. In Australia, facilitated groups are available to caregivers in community settings, through a nationally funded program, MyTime. Mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation have not yet been instituted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish whether brief, online surveys can be used for monitoring and evaluating peer support groups for caregivers of children with special needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two brief, online surveys, with both fixed-choice and open-ended questions, were developed. All caregivers who attended any MyTime group during a 1-month period were invited to participate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 89 caregivers who expressed interest in participating, 54 and 31 respondents completed respectively. Respondents represented a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Responses revealed both positive and negative aspects of group participation. Linked data on expectations and experiences provided important feedback for the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brief, online surveys are a suitable mechanism for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of peer support group programs for caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia. Electronic address: karen.wynter@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wynter
authors.affiliation: Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammarberg
authors.affiliation: Parenting Research Center, Australia.
authors.forename: Gina-Maree
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Sartore
authors.affiliation: Parenting Research Center, Australia.
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cann
authors.affiliation: Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Caregiver; Disability; Monitoring and evaluation; Parents of children with special needs; Peer support groups