ArticleBMC public health2019
The role of internet-based digital tools in reducing social isolation and addressing support needs among informal caregivers: a scoping review.
Article in BMC public health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 57 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
57 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Open Online Courses for Informal Carers: Systematic Integrative Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Pooled it
- Digital Peer Support Intervention for Family Caregivers of Individuals With Neuromuscular Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
- A Social Exergame Intervention to Promote Physical Activity, Social Support, and Well-Being in Family Caregivers.The Gerontologist · 2023Trial
- Social media use and positive aspects of caregiving: a longitudinal test of the social compensation hypothesis.The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · 2026Article
- Digital Health Engagement Behaviors in US Family Caregivers: Trend Analysis Using the Health Information National Trends Survey 2019-2022 Data.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Usability and Acceptability Evaluation of a Digital Health Physical Activity Intervention among Older Family Caregivers of Patients with Heart Failure.Applied clinical informatics · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of a Dyadic Pain Management Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Pain: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Social Determinants of Health and Patient Experiences During Transitions From Inpatient Rehabilitation to Home.Journal of patient experience · 2026Article
- Unveiling the Hidden Challenges: A Systematic Review of Self-Identified Caregiver Support Needs for Older Adults in Canada.Public health reviews · 2026Review
- Packing for the journey: translating practice development into the digital realm.Frontiers in health services · 2026Article
- Global Trends and Disparities in Social Isolation.JAMA network open · 2025Article
- A qualitative study of the family caregiver burden for caregivers of children with congenital cataracts from a social ecosystem theory perspective.BMC nursing · 2025Article
- Quality and Misinformation About Health Conditions in Online Peer Support Groups: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Social Determinants Influencing Internet-Based Service Adoption Among Female Family Caregivers in Bangladesh: A Sociodemographic and Technological Analysis.Health science reports · 2025Article
- Online support groups for family caregivers: A qualitative exploration of social support and engagement.British journal of health psychology · 2025Article
- Impact of Informal Caregiving at Older Ages on Loneliness and Social Networks in Singapore.Gerontology · 2025Article
- Exploring the experience of informal caregivers of dependent elderly people with the well-being valuation method.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Article
- Digital Informal Care: The Use of Technology in Family Care. A Scoping Review.Public health reviews · 2025Review
- Sentiment Dynamics Among Informal Caregivers in Web-Based Alzheimer Communities: Systematic Analysis of Emotional Support and Interaction Patterns.JMIR aging · 2024Article
- Designing and Evaluating IT Applications for Informal Caregivers: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIn Canada, 8.1 million people informally provide care without payment, primarily to family members; 6.1 million of them are employed at a full-time or part-time job. Digital technologies, such as internet-based tools, can provide informal caregivers' access to information and support. This scoping review aimed to explore the role of internet-based digital tools in reducing social isolation and addressing support needs among informal caregivers.
methodsA systematic search for relevant peer-reviewed literature was conducted of four electronic databases, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework. An extensive search for relevant grey literature was also conducted.
resultsThe screening process yielded twenty-three papers. The following themes were generated from the reviewed studies: searching for and receiving support; gaining a sense of social inclusion and belonging; and benefits and challenges of web-based support. The studies noted that, to connect with peers and obtain social support, informal caregivers often turn to online platforms. By engaging with peers in online communities, these caregivers reported regaining a sense of social inclusion and belonging.
conclusionsThe findings suggest that internet-based digital tools can be a cost-effective and convenient way to develop programs that help unpaid caregivers form communities, gain support, and access resources. Service providers can leverage digital tools to deliver support to caregivers within online communities.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.