Receptiveness, Use and Acceptance of Telehealth by Caregivers of Stroke Patients in the Home

Abstract

This descriptive study identified factors that influenced the receptiveness, use and acceptance of telehealth videophones by 21 family caregivers of stroke patients in the home setting. Potential obstacles to the receptiveness towards videophones included concerns by the caregiver about maintaining home security, limited need for health care support, very low or high degree of burden in caregiving, and discomfort or disinterest in using technology. Identification of possible impediments to the use of videophones is vital prior to developing and evaluating programs using telehealth as a method of rehabilitative technology.