A taxonomy of information needs of informal carers: An empirical investigation

Researchers and practitioners are increasingly aware of the importance of the information needs of informal carers. However, little research has investigated their information needs comprehensively within the lived experience of being an informal carer. This paper presents a taxonomy of information needs of informal carers that assists in understanding their information needs more fully. This taxonomy divides information needs of informal carers into four major conceptual categories: (i) information needs related to the persons needing care, (ii) information needs related to the informal carers themselves, (iii) information needs related to the interaction between the persons needing care and informal carers; and (iv) information needs related to the interaction between informal carers and other parties. The usefulness of this taxonomy is demonstrated empirically using the results of eight case studies of carers of children with Type 1 diabetes. Evidence is provided to show how this taxonomy gives a multi-dimensional account of the information needs of informal carers. These results are important for those who work with such carers and for those who are concerned with addressing the information needs of informal carers in other healthcare contexts.