Methods for the identification of informal carers in the health and care systems: a systematic review

Abstract

Identifying informal carers is a complex task due to the diverse nature of caring roles and relationships. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to explore methods for informal carer identification. Six articles were reviewed. Methods for identification included population surveys, analysis of electronic medical records and a multifaceted approach focused on awareness and education in healthcare settings. There was considerable variability in the identification methods, the definitions of informal carers and the effectiveness of the methods to identify them. The review indicates a lack of consensus on the most effective methods for identifying informal carers.