Mastering the Art of Caregiving: Instructional Approaches to Teaching Healthcare-Related Procedural Skills to Informal Caregivers—An Integrative Review

Abstract

Aims

This review aims to explore instructional approaches employed in teaching complex procedural skills among caregivers.

Design

Integrative Review.

Data Sources

Electronic searches were conducted across seven databases: CINAHL, PubMed, OVID, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ProQuest Central and Google Scholar. Manual searches of references within relevant studies were also performed. Original, peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2014 and 2025 were reviewed.

Methods

The Whittemore and Knafl method of integrative review was utilised to comprehensively examine literature encompassing various methodological designs. 17 articles that examined the learning of procedural skills among caregivers were included.

Results

The optimal approach to enhancing caregivers' knowledge, competence and confidence involves a learner-centric training model involving multiple phases. Effective caregiving begins with a thorough preparation of the caregiver, which is key to ensuring the success of the training programme. Next, knowledge can be imparted through diverse learning approaches and paradigms to cater to individual learning styles. Subsequently, the translation of knowledge gained to hands-on practice, deepens understanding and enhances caregivers' practical skills competency. Finally, confidence is built through providing opportunities and platforms for repeated practice, leading to mastery and increased confidence over time.

Conclusions

While specific learning pedagogies were not highlighted in the literature, the instructional approaches summarised in the existing literature closely resembled an existing teaching pedagogy: Peyton's Four-Step Approach. This approach is a stepwise teaching framework that has been widely used in healthcare teaching. The approaches used in the studies align with this approach and future interventions should consider designing their training accordingly to enhance its efficacy.

Impact

A well-designed training programme fosters caregiver resilience and preparedness, enabling them to navigate challenges effectively and sustainably. Future research could focus on creating an all-encompassing caregiver training that integrates the various approaches. Its feasibility and effectiveness in improving the caregiver preparation process could then be assessed.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.