The knowledge and skills assessment (KASA) tool in the Australian Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service: development and initial testing

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urska Arnautovska ◽  
Sofia Robleda ◽  
Jeanette Jackson ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana

ABSTRACTBackground:As the global population ages, it is important that the professional care workforce is well prepared to support the needs of people with dementia. In Australia, the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) supports people with dementia and their carers through an interdisciplinary team approach. To provide DBMAS Behaviour Consultants with a tool to guide them in their professional development, this project aimed to develop a self-assessment tool to enable self-reflection on clinical competencies required for working in the service and identification of areas where further development would be required.Methods:A multi-stage process was applied in the development of the tool, including review of the relevant literature and focus groups with DBMAS Behaviour Consultants and Team Leaders. The tool encompasses both skills and knowledge in working with people with dementia and caregivers. A pilot study including 14 DBMAS consultants was conducted to assess the utility of the measure and ensure variability of ratings across knowledge and skill areas relative to time working in DBMAS.Results:The Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KASA) was developed and is now used in DBMAS service both with novice Behaviour Consultants and more experienced staff, and is also being used as an on-line version, accompanied with case vignettes.Conclusions:The KASA provides a valuable self-assessment tool for professional care staff working in dementia care, but would nevertheless still warrant further testing of its psychometric characteristics.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 253-253
Author(s):  
Lynne Padgett

253 Background: While the Institute of Medicine and the Center to Advance Palliative Care have provided the impetus for many cancer centers to build palliative care programs, guidance regarding the “nuts and bolts” of program development is lacking. The Oncology Palliative Care Matrix (OPCM) is a unique self-assessment tool designed to facilitate both program evaluation and planning for provision of oncology palliative care. Methods: The National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) Palliative Care Working Group developed the OPCM to assess palliative care capacity. The tool covers 17 components associated with quality palliative care delivery (e.g., staff training, patient identification, advanced care planning, attention to spiritual care). All NCCCP sites (16 enrolled in 2007, 14 enrolled in 2010) completed the matrix in 2010 evaluating their capacity with respect to each of these domains at the following time points: baseline (entry to the NCCCP program), 2 years after NCCCP enrollment (2007 sites only), and the upcoming year (goals for the future). Results: At baseline, matrix responses reflected variability in service capacity across the 17 domains. Reported capacity for specific palliative care components improved for the 2007 sites after 2 years in NCCCP; all sites identified ‘reach’ goals for the coming year. For example, at baseline, 63% of 2007 sites and 50% of 2010 sites referred only patients at end-of-life or with advanced disease and severe symptoms for palliative care services. However, after 2 years in NCCCP, 44% of 2007 sites still referred only these patients, while 56% made referrals to palliative care for patients at all cancer stages and/or as needed during post-treatment. Further, 100% of 2007 sites and 86% of 2010 sites aspired to this expanded referral capacity in the future. Conclusions: The OPCM shows utility in the community setting for self-assessment of capacity and strategic planning to improve quality palliative care delivery. It also highlights that some components of quality care may be easier to achieve/improve (e.g., referral for palliative care) than others (e.g., regular symptom assessment, palliative care staff support).


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshan Hussain Khattak

Second edition of Creed and Spiers book continues to address the difficult subject of caring for the rapidly deteriorating patient. Updated National early Warning Score-2 is used in this edition and enables the nurse to respond effectively to the quickly changing needs of such patients. Each chapter is divided into separate sections of Contents, Learning Outcomes, Multiple Choice Questions for self–assessment and an End of Chapter test with separate sections for knowledge and skills assessment. Each chapter ends with a complete list of references used that add to the scientific quality in addition to giving an evidence base to the information presented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Joanna Sun

Objectives: This study investigated the level of acceptance in Singapore of the eight principles of design underpinning the Environmental Assessment Tool–High Care (EAT-HC), which is commonly used in Australia to evaluate environments for the care of people living with dementia. A secondary goal was to identify topics particularly relevant to the Singaporean context, which are not included in the Australian EAT-HC. Background: This study was undertaken in preparation for the development of a Singaporean version of the Australian EAT-HC. Methods: Discussions from 23 focus groups involving 150 family caregivers, aged care staff, administrators, and architects were recorded and thematically analyzed to identify the characteristics of the principles underpinning the EAT-HC that are unlikely to be relevant in a Singaporean version and to identify additional topics required to tailor it to reflect the Singaporean culture. The thematic analysis was supplemented with quantitative data obtained through the use of simple Likert-type scales measuring the appropriateness of each principle in the Singaporean context. Results: The principles of design that underpin the EAT-HC were highly accepted by participants and provided a framework for a systematic exploration of Singaporean residential care for people with dementia. Some topics of particular relevance to Singapore were identified. These can be subsumed by the principles without the need for the principles to be changed. Conclusion: The results support the use of the design principles underpinning the EAT-HC as the foundation of a tool for the evaluation of Singaporean dementia facilities.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. S319
Author(s):  
Judith Franzmann ◽  
Anne Kümmel ◽  
Julia Haberstroh ◽  
Johannes Pantel

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urska Arnautovska ◽  
Sofia Robleda ◽  
Jeanette Jackson ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kuemmel (This author contributed eq ◽  
Julia Haberstroh (This author contributed ◽  
Johannes Pantel

Communication and communication behaviors in situational contexts are essential conditions for well-being and quality of life in people with dementia. Measuring methods, however, are limited. The CODEM instrument, a standardized observational communication behavior assessment tool, was developed and evaluated on the basis of the current state of research in dementia care and social-communicative behavior. Initially, interrater reliability was examined by means of videoratings (N = 10 people with dementia). Thereupon, six caregivers in six German nursing homes observed 69 residents suffering from dementia and used CODEM to rate their communication behavior. The interrater reliability of CODEM was excellent (mean κ = .79; intraclass correlation = .91). Statistical analysis indicated that CODEM had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .95). CODEM also showed excellent convergent validity (Pearson’s R = .88) as well as discriminant validity (Pearson’s R = .63). Confirmatory factor analysis verified the two-factor solution of verbal/content aspects and nonverbal/relationship aspects. With regard to the severity of the disease, the content and relational aspects of communication exhibited different trends. CODEM proved to be a reliable, valid, and sensitive assessment tool for examining communication behavior in the field of dementia. CODEM also provides researchers a feasible examination tool for measuring effects of psychosocial intervention studies that strive to improve communication behavior and well-being in dementia.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kejimu Sunzi ◽  
Cheng Lei ◽  
Zhuoyuanyuan Chen ◽  
Baolu Zhang

BACKGROUND The rapid development of health information technology has an increasingly significant impact on nursing work. The development of informatization also puts forward higher requirements for nurses under standardized training (NUST). Informatics knowledge and skills are essential if clinicians are to master the large volume of information generated in healthcare today. Nurses with competent nursing informatics competencies (NIC) will be able to better adapt to the needs of work and the development of the times. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore, analyze, and discuss the current situation of NIC of NUST in China, and analyze the influencing factors, to provide references for improving the NIC of NUST. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of standard training nurses' NIC in a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China, with convenience sampling. The study consists of two parts included socio-demographic characteristics and NIC, a self-designed general information questionnaire, and a Self-Assessment Nursing Informatics Competency Scale-SF28 were used as survey tools. An online survey collected the data, and the scores of nurses' NIC were analyzed, and the factors were determined by linear regression statistical analysis. RESULTS Overall 191 target population responded to the questionnaire, including 22 males (11.52%) and 169 females (88.48%), the age range was 21 to 28 years, the average age was 24.64 (SD 1.43). 53 persons without computer level certificate (27.75%), 138 persons with computer level certificate (72.25%), the total score of Self-Assessment Nursing Informatics Competency Scale was 68.65 (SD 10.47), the scores of each dimension were role of clinical information 10.12 (SD 2.17), basic computer knowledge and skills 26.64 (SD 4.96), application ability of computer skills 7.16 (SD 1.82), wireless equipment skills 8.02 (SD 2.04), nursing information attitude 16.73 (SD 3.25). In the analysis of influencing factors of NIC, “whether learned professional knowledge through the internet” is the influencing factor of NIC (P< .05). CONCLUSIONS The clinical nursing informatics (NC) of nurses was at a medium level, mainly influenced by “whether learned professional knowledge through the internet.” In the future regulation process, it is necessary to strengthen further the capacity training of information to improve their clinical information decision-making ability and better serve patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Lang

Abstract Background High quality health promotion (HP) depends on a competent workforce for which professional development programmes for practitioners are essential. The “CompHP Core Competencies Framework in HP” defines crucial competency domains but a recent review concluded that the implementation and use of the framework is lacking. The aim was to develop and validate a self-assessment tool for HP competencies, which should help evaluate training courses. Methods A brief self-assessment tool was employed in 2018 in Austria. 584 participants of 77 training courses submitted their post-course assessment (paper-pencil, RR = 78.1%). In addition, longitudinal data are available for 148 participants who filled in a pre-course online questionnaire. Measurement reliability and validity was tested by single factor, bifactor, multigroup, and multilevel CFA. A SEM proved for predictive and concurrent validity, controlling gender and age. Results A bifactor model (X2/df=3.69, RMSEA=.07, CFI=.95, sRMR=.07) showed superior results with a strong general CompHP factor (FL&gt;.65, wH=.90, ECV=.85), configurally invariant for two training programmes. On course level, there was only minimal variance between trainings (ICC&lt;.08). Structurally, there was a significant increase in HP competencies when comparing pre- and post-course measurements (b=.33, p&lt;.01). Participants showed different levels of competencies due to prior knowledge (b=.38, p&lt;.001) and course format (b=.16, p&lt;.06). The total scale had good properties (m = 49.8, sd = 10.3, 95%-CI: 49.0-50.7) and discriminated between groups (eg by training length). Conclusions The results justify the creation of an overall scale to assess core HP competencies. It is recommended to use the scale for evaluating training courses. The work compensates for the lack of empirical studies on the CompHP concept and facilitates a broader empirical application of a uniform competency framework for HP in accordance with international standards in HP and public health. Key messages The self-assessment tool provides a good and compact foundation for assessing HP competencies. It provides a basis for holistic, high quality and sustainable capacity building or development in HP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning An ◽  
Ji Sheng Lin ◽  
Qi Fei

Abstract Background To compare the validation of four tools for identifying painful new osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (PNOVCFs) in older Chinese men: bone mineral density (BMD), Asian osteoporosis self-assessment tool (OSTA), World Health Organization fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) (without BMD) and Beijing Friendship Hospital Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (BFH-OSTM). Methods A cross sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2019. A total of 846 men aged ≥50 were included and were divided into two groups: Fracture Group (patients with PNOVCFs underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty surgery) and Non-Fracture Group (community dwelled subjects for healthy examination). All subjects accepted a dual-energy X-ray BMD test and a structured questionnaire. The results of BMD, OSTA, FRAX and BFH-OSTM scores were assessed and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the validity of four tools for identifying PNOVCFs. Optimal cutoff points, sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were determined. Results There were significant differences including BMD T score (femoral neck, total hip and L1-L4), OSTA, FRAX and BFH-OSTM scores between Fracture group and Non-fracture group. Compared to BMD and OSTA, BFH-OSTM and FRAX had better predictive value, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC value are 0.841, 81.29%, 70.67% and 0.796, 74.85%, 78.52%, respectively. Compared with FRAX, the BFH-OSTM has a better AUC value. Conclusions Both BFH-OSTM and FRAX can be used to identify POVCFs, However, BFH-OSTM model may be a more simple and effective tool to identify the risk of POVCFs in Chinese elderly men.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 182-183
Author(s):  
James Faraday ◽  
Clare Abley ◽  
Catherine Exley ◽  
Joanne Patterson

Abstract More and more people with dementia are living in nursing homes (NH). Often, they depend on NH staff for help with eating and drinking. It is important that staff have the skills and support they need to provide good care at mealtimes. This qualitative study explores mealtime care for people with dementia, from the perspective of NH staff. Semi-structured interviews with NH staff (n=16) were carried out in two nursing homes. The homes were chosen to have diverse characteristics: one home had a large number of beds and was part of a small local organization; the other had a small number of beds and was part of a large national organization. Various staff members were interviewed, including direct care staff, senior carers, nurses, managers, and kitchen staff. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A constant comparison approach was taken, so that data from early interviews were explored in more depth subsequently. From the analysis, five themes emerged as important in mealtime care for people with dementia living in nursing homes: Setting the right tone; Working well as a team; Knowing the residents; Promoting autonomy and independence; Gently persevering. This work forms part of a larger ethnographic study on the topic, which includes data from residents with dementia, and family carers. Results will inform the development of a staff training intervention to optimize mealtime care for this population.


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