Equipping Change Agents: Applying Mixed Methods to Learn About the Outcomes of the Co-Designed Caregiver-Centered Care Champions Education Program

Tanya L’Heureux, Jasneet Parmar, David Nicholas, Lesley Charles, Cheryl Pollard, Myles Leslie, Kimberly Shapkin, Shannon Saunders, Cindy Sim, Paige Walker, Ginger Bitzer, Safia Khalfan and Sharon Anderson ()
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Tanya L’Heureux: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
Jasneet Parmar: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
David Nicholas: Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Lesley Charles: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
Cheryl Pollard: Faculty of Nursing, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
Myles Leslie: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 2T8, Canada
Kimberly Shapkin: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4L6, Canada
Shannon Saunders: Assisted Living Alberta, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
Cindy Sim: Team CarePal, Edmonton, AB T5J 1W8, Canada
Paige Walker: Alberta Council on Aging, Edmonton, AB T5M 2T9, Canada
Ginger Bitzer: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
Safia Khalfan: Independent Consultant, Calgary, AB T3L 0G8, Canada
Sharon Anderson: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: Family caregivers provide most daily care for people living with chronic illness or frailty, yet they remain under-recognized in health and social care systems. To address this gap, we co-designed the Caregiver-Centered Care Champions Education Program, which equips frontline providers with the competencies needed to lead caregiver-inclusive change. Guided by the Kirkpatrick-Barr Health Workforce Education Framework, we conducted a mixed methods interpretive description evaluation of learner satisfaction, knowledge and confidence gains, and self-reported behaviour change. Sixty-seven interdisciplinary participants completed three online modules. Quantitative results from pre/post surveys (Wilcoxon signed rank tests) showed significant improvements across all competencies ( p < 0.001; large effect sizes) alongside high satisfaction (means 6.56–6.96/7). Qualitative findings revealed that 94% of participants applied program content within three months, and 61% implemented five or more distinct behaviour changes (e.g., collaborative care planning, system navigation support). The analysis illuminated how learners integrated caregiver-centred principles with change leadership strategies. Time constraints and staffing shortages emerged as key barriers. Our co-designed, theory-informed approach effectively bridged individual learning and system change, demonstrating the potential to transform caregiver inclusion practices when supported by organizational policies.

Keywords: family caregivers; caregiver-centred care; co-design; health workforce education; change management; Kirkpatrick-Barr framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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