Construction of an online support for the family caregiver

The increase in the number of dependent individuals means that more and more families find themselves in the situation of caregivers, with all the consequences that performing this role entails. Based on this reality, we consider it to be completely relevant to systematize knowledge in this area towards the develop of an educational online support tool for caregivers. We conducted a focus group with experts in this field to identify what appropriate content an online caregiver support program should have. Our goal is to build an online tool that works as a complement to the work of professionals and is safe for carers. The main results and conclusions, after we analyze the focus group incomes indicate that the online support tool should contain topics that can be grouped into three main themes: 1) caregiver knowledge and skills, 2) potential resources for the caregiver and 3) caregiver coping strategies and well-being. It was also possible to obtain important complementary information that will be very useful in the construction of the online tool. The relevance of this study to clinical practice is that, although it is still necessary to expand and enhance the scope of research in this area, we consider this information essential for all health professionals seeking to provide effective support to family caregivers, as well as to serve as support for the development of intervention projects and health services.