Objective: The purpose of this report is to present the findings from a secondary analysis of email questions from adult caregivers of persons with stroke directed to a nurse specialist and members of an electronic (E)-rehabilitation team. This analysis explored what caregivers new to the role asked in dealing with the outcomes of stroke. Materials and Method: Thirteen caregivers submitted questions and had them answered through use of Caring~Web © , a web-based intervention for caregivers of

more »

... rsons with stroke. Data were gleaned from email messages on Ask-the-Nurse, a one-on-one discussion with the nurse specialist, and Caretalk, an email discussion with the entire group. These data constituted the content for the qualitative analyses. QSR N 5, previously known as NUD*IST, was the qualitative data management program used to enter, track, explore, code and search all narrative data. Results: The caregivers' questions centered on: 1) medication management (19%), 2) community and government services (23%), and 3) stroke and related issues in dealing with stroke (58%). These findings, using Friedemann's framework of systemic organization as a guide, indicated that the caregivers were seeking new knowledge [individuation in Friedemann's terms] along with supporting one another [coherence], as they sought to maintain themselves and their care recipients [system maintenance]. Conclusion: These are important topics for which information was needed as caregivers sought to maintain themselves and their care recipients in the home. INTRODUCTION Adult caregivers for persons with stroke often find themselves in the role of caregiving without any prior experience or training. As with any new role, success depends upon having access to education on a continuing and as needed basis. However, once the care recipient is released from inpatient care, educational information is often difficult to find and caregivers must actively seek it out.