Rural carers online: A feasibility study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility (for a potential randomised controlled trial) of a computer intervention for improving social interaction and promoting the mental health of rural carers. DESIGN: The study combined pre- and post-intervention measures with interviews to determine the feasibility of the intervention and the acceptability of the study design to participants. The intervention consisted of providing 14 rural carers with computers and a 4-week training program on basic computer skills, using email and the Internet. SETTING: The study was conducted in a rural community setting. PARTICIPANTS: The carers were 12 women and two men, aged from 50 to 81 years, with an average of 65.5 y..