Behaviorally based measures for assessing the non-clinical performance of expanded function dental auxiliaries in team settings

Retranslation of expectations technique was used to develop behaviorally-anchored scales for evaluating the performance effectiveness of expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs) working in extended dental health teams. The resulting instrument focuses on the evaluator's judgment of specific acts in eight dimensions of performance.

The consultant dietitian in nursing homes. II. Functions and change effectiveness

Data are reported on functions and effectiveness of consultant dietitians in nursing homes. Key responsibilities of the consultants included: Planning and writing menus, in-service training, nutritional assessment, and discussing diets with physicians. Activities performed on each visit to the nursing home were resident visitation and dietary consultation, nutritional assessment, communication with other departments, and checking foodservice and sanitation procedures. Most important activities of the consultant, as perceived by the administrators, were in three functional areas: Menu planning, modified diets, and education and training. Administrators indicated that the most significant change brought about by consultants involved modified diets, menus, sanitation, and communication between the foodservice department and other departments and with the administration.

Staffing patterns and team composition

The authors describe the work of a Veterans Administration task force in developing guidelines for staffing patterns and team composition on a hospital inpatient ward. The task force first defined the objectives of treatment, and then proceeded to define the needs of patients and their families, the types of professionals constituting the mental health team, and the functions they performed. It also identified the specific activities required in providing patient care, the staff involved in them, and those who could be involved, in some cases with more training.