Protocol for constructing a support model for family caregivers of people with dementia: Barriers and requirements

BACKGROUND: This report describes a protocol for determining the barriers and requirements of family caregivers for people with dementia. The perspectives of healthcare professionals, family caregivers, and dementia patients will be collected and analyzed to construct a support model of requirements. METHODS: An in-depth interview and care diary will be adopted during Phase I. Subsequently, the Delphi technique will be conducted to transform opinions from participants into a group consensus. In total, 38 participants are expected to be recruited from the outpatients of the neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, and family medicine departments of a medical center in central Taiwan. Five domains are to be examined systematically in terms of the barriers and requirements of family caregivers for people with dementia: (1) knowledge of dementia and care skills to cope with problem behaviors; (2) medication and comorbidity management; (3) family relationships and psychological support; (4) resources and benefits; and (5) education and skills training. CONCLUSION: Overall, the proposed protocol will construct a support model of requirements for family caregivers, which is expected to provide healthcare professionals, family caregivers, researchers, and policymakers with more concise information and insights into associated problems.