Mandated Caregiver Training in the Veterans Health Administration: Caregiver Inquiry Informs National Dissemination

Background and Objectives A minority of family caregivers receive training, with implications for their own and their recipient's outcomes. Federal policy has supported the implementation and expansion of caregiver training and support. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a national Caregiver Support Program and collaborated with VA health services researchers to explore caregivers' acceptance of an evidence-based training program in preparation for system-wide dissemination. Research Design and Methods This approach entailed a convergent mixed-methods design, which involved separate analyses of quantitative and qualitative data. Survey questions based on the Kirkpatrick model for training evaluation measured caregivers' reaction and learning, and interview questions elicited caregivers' reports about the value of the program for them. Results Most caregivers reported satisfaction with the training when responding to survey questions, although qualitative interviews revealed caveats suggesting need to hone the best timing and specific group of caregivers for maximal benefit. Discussion and Implications Our findings indicate that understanding program-user fit may be particularly critical when implementing training for caregivers as they come to the program at different points along their caregiving journey, needing differing types and intensities of support. While a general program may appeal to policymakers aiming to scale caregiver training within a large, heterogeneous system, there may be shortcomings in terms of end-user acceptance and subsequent downstream outcomes such as reach and ultimately program effectiveness. Good, iterative communication flow between program developers and policymakers facilitates this understanding and, in turn, decisions about scaling.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Caregiver Support Program. The results showed that the majority of caregivers were satisfied with the training. However, individual interviews revealed variations in the needs and acceptance of the training among different caregivers. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific timing and target audience when implementing caregiver training programs.