Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38926712›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2024

WHO, WHEN, HOW: a scoping review on flexible at-home respite for informal caregivers of older adults.

Maude Viens, Alexandra Éthier, Véronique Provencher, Annie Carrier

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Efficacy of elobixibat for elderly patients with chronic constipation in a clinic.World journal of gastrointestinal pharmacology and therapeutics · 2025
    Article
  5. Navigating limited resources: experiences of caregivers for elderly terminal cancer patients in a region with limited palliative care services.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Maude ViensUniversité de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. maude.viens@usherbrooke.ca.
Alexandra ÉthierUniversité de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Véronique ProvencherUniversité de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Annie CarrierUniversité de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs the world population is aging, considerable efforts need to be put towards developing and maintaining evidenced-based care for older adults. Respite services are part of the selection of homecare offered to informal caregivers. Although current best practices around respite are rooted in person centeredness, there is no integrated synthesis of its flexible components. Such a synthesis could offer a better understanding of key characteristics of flexible respite and, as such, support its implementation and use.

methodsTo map the literature around the characteristics of flexible at-home respite for informal caregivers of older adults, a scoping study was conducted. Qualitative data from the review was analyzed using content analysis. The characterization of flexible at-home respite was built on three dimensions: WHO, WHEN and HOW. To triangulate the scoping results, an online questionnaire was distributed to homecare providers and informal caregivers of older adults.

resultsA total of 42 documents were included in the review. The questionnaire was completed by 105 participants. The results summarize the characteristics of flexible at-home respite found in the literature. Flexibility in respite can be understood through three dimensions: (1) WHO is tendering it, (2) WHEN it is tendered and (3) HOW it is tendered. Firstly, human resources (WHO) must be compatible with the homecare sector as well as being trained and qualified to offer respite to informal caregivers of older adults. Secondly, flexible respite includes considerations of time, duration, frequency, and predictability (WHEN). Lastly, flexible at-home respite exhibits approachability, appropriateness, affordability, availability, and acceptability (HOW). Overall, flexible at-home respite adjusts to the needs of the informal caregiver and care recipient in terms of WHO, WHEN, and HOW.

conclusionThis review is a step towards a more precise definition of flexible at-home respite. Flexibility of homecare, in particular respite, must be considered when designing, implementing and evaluating services.

Indexed as

CaregiversRespite CareAgedFemaleHome Care ServicesHumansQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesHome care/homecareInformal caregivingOlder adultsRespiteScoping review

Identifiers

PMID38926712
PMCPMC11202319

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.