Information Quality, Uncertainty, and Quality of Care in Long-Distance Caregiving

Abstract

Approximately 13% of Americans who provide care for an ailing family member do so from a distance, making long-distance caregiving a relevant health communication topic to study. A self-report online survey examined the quality of information provided by care recipient to distant caregiver, uncertainty about care recipient health, and perceived quality of care from the distant caregivers' perspective. Information quality, uncertainty, and perceived quality of care were significantly related as predicted. How these findings offer new insight into the complex nature of distant caregiving communication is discussed.