Teaching family carers about the recovery concept in mental health: An exploration of the potential impact of utilising an online programme

Objective: This research explores whether the delivery of an online training programme on recovery to a group of family carers can be beneficial and add to the evidence base about the importance for them of understanding the recovery approach. The emergence of Covid-19 required the programme and evaluation to be completed online, using both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Research design and methods: The framework was Dissemination and Implementation science which focuses on developing real world research implementation and facilitates the timely adoption of effective interventions into health and care systems. The research methodology was participatory action research. An advisory group of stakeholders representing carers, service users and professionals directed the study design and implementation. Mainly qualitative data was collected, together with supplementary socio-demographic quantitative data. Seven carers started the programme, with five remaining to completion and participating in the evaluation. Results: The findings emphasise the importance of understanding recovery, supporting recovery, and considering carers’ own needs alongside their recovery. The carers evaluated the training as successful, highlighting the importance of the user- and carer-trainer in delivering the programme. Conclusion: Covid-19 impacted on the participant recruitment and the delivery of the intervention. The small sample size limited the validity of the evaluation and the findings reported. Additionally, not all participants engaged with all sessions. This makes it hard to report the fidelity of the intervention. However, the results endorse the implementation of a comprehensive study to explore further the potential benefits from participation in this intervention for this population of carers.