A Competency-Based “Hands-On” Training Package for Direct-Care Staff

Author(s):  
Mary R. Burch ◽  
Maxin L. Reiss ◽  
Jon S. Bailey

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a “hands-on” and videotape training package in teaching direct care staff in an Intermediate Care Facility to conduct daily activities for persons labeled profoundly mentally retarded. A proficiency checklist of desired staff behaviors was developed and staff were provided with hands-on competency-based training. With the use of a multiple baseline design (across two groups of staff), it was shown that staff performance in conducting the activities improved after the training was implemented, and that skills maintained at a 3-week follow-up check.

1986 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Barrowclough ◽  
Ian Fleming

Although there have been a vast number of reports on training direct care staff in behavioural techniques, little work has been reported pertaining to elderly individuals. This paper describes how a method of constructing, implementing and evaluating individual plans – goal planning – was adapted for use with elderly clients. Direct care staff in a number of different establishments were trained in goal planning techniques with elderly clients and evaluations of their goal planning skills were made after training. Most trainees acquired the skills to an acceptable level and in the small sample studied, this was maintained at four month follow-up. Some measures of the effectiveness of the implementation of the goal planning and its maintenance after training are reported, and limitations of the training programme are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i34-i36
Author(s):  
L Graham ◽  
B Cundill ◽  
A Ellwood ◽  
J Fisher ◽  
M Goodwin ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Provision of care for care home residents with complex needs is challenging. Physiotherapy and activity interventions can improve physical well-being but are often time-limited and resource intensive. A sustainable approach is to enhance the confidence, skills and abilities of care home staff. This trial assessed the feasibility of undertaking a definitive evaluation of the Skilful Care Training Package (SCTP) - a posture and mobility training programme developed by physiotherapists for care home staff. Methods A parallel-group, cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial was undertaken in ten care homes in Yorkshire. Five were randomised to receive SCTP, five to usual care. SCTP was delivered by specialist physiotherapists, with the intention of training all direct care staff. Following consent, data were collected from and about residents with restricted mobility (those fulfilling the eligibility criteria) at baseline, three and six months post-randomisation by blinded researchers. Outcome measurement included resident mobility, posture, pain and quality of life. The feasibility of recruitment, retention, data collection and intervention delivery was assessed. Results All residents (348) at participating homes were screened for eligibility. 250 were eligible and 146 took part. Follow-up was balanced between arms, with an overall loss-to-follow-up rate of 28.8% at six months. Where residents were available for six-month follow-up, proxy data provision was excellent (97.1% - 100% of expected data). Difficulty collecting data directly from residents was experienced (43.3% of expected data) due to high levels of cognitive impairment. Staff attendance at training met or was close to pre-specified criteria for acceptability in three homes, with 63.0%, 63.6% and 65.8% direct care staff attending all sessions, and >85% attending at least one session across all three homes. However attendance fell short of acceptability in two homes, with only 21.4% and 12.5% staff attending all sessions. Conclusions It is feasible to recruit and follow-up residents in a randomised trial comparing SCTP and usual care. Proxy data collection is a successful method, but collection of data from residents is difficult. Intervention delivery success was variable, illustrating heterogeneity between care homes. Future research will be informed by learning from those homes with greater intervention compliance. Work should be undertaken to investigate how best to collect meaningful data from residents.


1980 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Lothar Mader ◽  
Patricia Resick ◽  
Donald Witzke ◽  
Joseph Ferrara ◽  
Eric Rudrud

A newly developed audio-visual staff training package on the legal and historical aspects of developmental disabilities was assessed for its educational effectiveness. Separate evaluations were made of the component parts of the package. From a residential institution serving the developmentally disabled, 100 direct care staff were selected randomly and assigned to five groups. These groups were presented with either the audio-visual component, the workbook, or the combined audiovisual and workbook components of the package. Two groups were pretested and all five groups received a posttest and a three week follow-up test The results indicated significant learning effects which were maintained through the follow-up period. There were no differences between the three presentation modes in educational effectiveness but the slide-tape only presentation was more efficient and was preferred by the participants. Based on the results of the study, further development of audio-visual staff training packages is encouraged.


2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 717-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Azofeifa ◽  
Lorraine F. Yeung ◽  
Georgina Peacock ◽  
Cynthia A. Moore ◽  
Loren Rodgers ◽  
...  

Objective.To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of infection control among staff in a residential care facility for children and young adults with neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions.Design.Self-administered survey.Setting.Residential care facility (facility A).Participants.Facility A staff (N = 200).Methods.We distributed a survey to staff at facility A. We classified staff with direct care responsibilities as clinical (ie, physicians, nurses, and therapists) or nonclinical (ie, habilitation assistants, volunteers, and teachers) and used X2 tests to measure differences between staff agreement to questions.Results.Of 248 surveys distributed, 200 (81%) were completed; median respondent age was 36 years; 85% were female; and 151 were direct care staff (50 clinical, 101 nonclinical). Among direct care staff respondents, 86% agreed they could identify residents with respiratory symptoms, 70% stayed home from work when ill with respiratory infection, 64% agreed that facility administration encouraged them to stay home when ill with respiratory infection, and 72% reported that ill residents with respiratory infections were separated from well residents. Clinical and nonclinical staff differed in agreement about using waterless hand gel as a substitute for handwashing (96% vs 78%; P = .005) and whether handwashing was done after touching residents (92% vs 75%; P = .04).Conclusions.Respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding infection control could be improved, especially among nonclinical staff. Facilities caring for children and young adults with neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions should encourage adherence to infection control best practices among all staff having direct contact with residents.


1984 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Fleming

This paper describes the successful application of a behavioural intervention to the inappropriate behaviour of a severely mentally handicapped hospital resident. The intervention was based on the Constructional approach and at sixth week follow-up the effects had been maintained. Furthermore, there was evidence that these had generalised to other behaviours. Significant changes were noted in the attitudes of direct care staff and it is suggested that these may have been attributable to the nature of the approach used. The Constructional approach was considered ethically and practically superior to alternatives which would have concentrated alone on reducing or removing behaviour in the client's limited repertoire.


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.


1984 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Russell

This paper investigates the utilization pattern of the psychiatric consultation and referral service provided by the author in an Adult Mental Retardation Facility over a three-year period. The services, their history and locale are described against a background of changes in attitudes towards the problems of the retarded. Rising interest by psychiatrists in the field is placed in context. A spectrum of variables is used for a statistical analysis of factors (Chi2) influencing psychiatric referrals or non-referrals of all new admissions over the period indicated (N = 98). Against a background of increasing normalization and de-institutionalization, the character and composition of the shrinking institutional population has changed. Administration and direct-care staff are now confronted with management and care problems of lower functioning retardates, presenting difficult-to-manage behaviours and severe, often multiple, handicaps. Several factors with resource and care implications are considered, affecting institutionalized as well as community placed retardates, especially in hard economic times. Findings are discussed; recommendations are made concerning the application of scarce psychiatric resources to meet changing psychiatric needs of the population, maximize services and continue community directed normalization efforts. Some caveats are sounded and further research suggested.


1992 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl A. Wissick ◽  
John W. Lloyd ◽  
Mable B. Kinzie

The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of using interactive videodisc for developing community based simulations for students with moderate disabilities. A multiple baseline design across students was used to assess the effects of the training package, that made use of an interactive videodisc-based simulation, on the students' skills to locate and purchase an item in simulated and natural convenience store settings. Three adolescents with moderate disabilities were taught how to access the equipment, discriminate items, and shop for snack items in a convenience store. During baseline and intervention phases, purchasing skills were assessed daily in simulated settings and weekly in natural settings. Measures included the number of extra actions to locate an item, percentage of assistance from the teacher, and number of purchasing steps completed correctly. All students learned how to access the equipment, to discriminate visuals of shopping items, and to interact in the simulated store setting. In addition for the simulated settings, students demonstrated a decrease in the number of extra actions needed to locate an item and an increase in the number of purchasing steps performed correctly.


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