Developing and Testing an Elearning Resource for Professionals When a Significant Caregiver for Children Is Dying

Background/aims: Health and social care professionals (professionals) are often unsure how and when best to support adults at end-of-life with cancer who have a significant caregiving responsibility for children, <18 years. The aim of this project was to plan, develop and test an evidence-based, theory-driven eLearning resource to equip professionals with the skills and strategies on how best to support this population.
Methods: Guided by the ‘Person-based approach’, the planning and development phases of the resource prototype combined evidence from the literature, a steering group, logic model and a face-to-face educational intervention. The prototype was usability tested and modified with a range of professionals (n13) using three iterative cycles of ‘think-aloud’ interviews. Individual feedback was captured from subject and digital experts, and bereaved adults and children.
Results: Co-produced educational video resources were integrated, and an evidence-based communication framework was adapted for utilisation within the resource. ‘Think-aloud’ interviews identified some content delivered in a face-to-face intervention was not appropriate for the eLearning resource. Alongside navigational issues, modifications were made to the content of the prototype during the testing phase. Feedback from subject and digital experts, and individuals with lived experience yielded complementary insights to the resource.
Conclusions: Aligned to the ‘Person-based approach’, the systematic and iterative process, as well as involvement of end-users in all aspects, optimised a novel resource that maximises relevance, appropriateness and applicability. During optimisation of digital health interventions, it is important to extend involvement beyond end-users (professionals) and include those who will be impacted by its use (adults and children). The resource has the potential to promote the provision of family-centred cancer care. There is a need to evaluate the intervention to explore its acceptability and useability in practice.