Can nursing facility staff with minimal education be successfully trained with computer-based training?

The chronic kidney disease self-efficacy (CKD-SE) instrument: development and psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND

Self-management has been associated with positive health outcomes among adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Perceived disease-related self-efficacy (DSE) is considered a critical component in the successful self-management of chronic disease. A valid and reliable instrument for measuring CKD patients' self-efficacy is needed. This study aims to develop and test a new instrument to measure the DSE of patients with early stage CKD.

METHODS

A total of 594 Taiwanese patients with early stage CKD recruited from two medical centers and one regional hospital in southern Taiwan completed the questionnaire. The CKD self-efficacy (CKD-SE) was evaluated using exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and measures of reliability.

RESULTS

EFA identified four distinct factors with loadings ranging from 0.557 to 0.970: autonomy, self-integration, problem solving and seeking social support, accounting for 64.348% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.843 to 0.901.

CONCLUSION

This promising 25-item CKD-SE instrument can be used for the early identification of patients with low DSE, thus allowing the development of interventions to help these patients attain an appropriate level of DSE.

The effects of computer-based fire safety training on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers

Older adults in small residential care facilities are at a high risk of fire death and injury because of their characteristics and environment. The authors investigated computer-based instruction as a way to teach fire emergency planning to caregivers from small residential care facilities. Study participants (N=59) who completed the training significantly improved their scores from pretest to posttest when compared to a control group. Participants indicated on the course evaluation that the computers were easy to use (97%) and that they would like to use computers for future training courses (97%).

The role of education and training in achieving change in care homes: a literature review

Abstract

Care homes play a vital role in the provision of support for the frailest members of our society, and given the demographic trends their role will continue for the foreseeable future. However, there remain enduring concerns about the quality of care such homes provide. Training and education for staff are often seen as the key to raising standards and as such are widely promoted. This paper presents a conceptual review and synthesis of the literature on the role of education and training in initiating and supporting change in care homes. A systematic method to the identification of sources was adopted, and a rigorous three-stage approach to analysis applied. The review identifies the barriers and facilitators to change and concludes that education is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for success. Rather it is argued that the role and status of care homes needs to be raised, and that a relationship-centred approach to care adopted, which acknowledges the importance of attending to the needs of all those who live in, work in, or visit care homes.

The usefulness of computer-based instruction in providing educational opportunities for nursing staff

Computer-based (CB) instruction offers an alternative method for healthcare facilities to provide in service training to the staff. The authors investigated CB instruction as a way to provide information on preventing suicide and depression, adverse medication events, foodborne illness, and burns and scalds to people who care for older adults. The study compared the effects of CB instruction with those of equivalent instructor-led (IL) workshops. Each group of learners significantly improved knowledge related to the topic presented. The CB and IL versions of the modules produced similar results. The participants enjoyed using the computers and found the program easy to use. The authors concluded that CB instruction can be an effective alternative method of providing educational opportunities and is a convenient and cost-effective way to provide those opportunities to nursing staff.