The psychological and behavioural impact of the Early Self-assessment Tool for older people: an evaluative case study.
Summary
Title: The psychological and behavioural impact of the Early Self-assessment Tool for older people: an evaluative case study.
Background: Early Intervention (EI) is a computerized self-assessment for older people. It is available with or without assistance in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, and results in resources to enhance health and independence.
Objectives and question: Evaluate EI to enhance and implement it for a larger audience, maintaining health and independence for older people internationally. The research question is: How do users and facilitators of the Early Intervention judge its practical use and its psychological and behavioural impact on its users and on the health care system?
Methods: An evaluative case study containing ten interviews with EI’s users and a group interview with two facilitators. Users: having used EI and its first evaluation. Facilitators: having a professional attachment to EI, having assisted older people while conducting the assessment. Discourse analysis contained a single- and multiple case analyses by finding themes using a matrix approach.
Results: Promotion was limited, computer use and the content acceptable, and assistance appreciated. Main motivation was to assist the researcher. The impact was limited: minimal recollection and use of resources.
Conclusions: EI’s practical use was well received. Impact was limited, due to limited intervention promotion, lack of understanding its concept, and motivations to help the researcher instead of themselves, possibly leading to minimal recollection and no usage of resources. Those understanding EI’s concept did benefit by knowing where to find resources if needed.
Recommendations: Further studies with hard copies of resources, extended promotion, and a larger and more diverse sample size. Additionally, it is suggested to study digitalised self-assessments with or without assistance, and EI’s effect on those with memory loss.