Comparing Person-Centered Communication Education in Long-Term Care Using Onsite and Online Formats

• Published in: Journal of gerontological nursing Vol. 41; no. 11; pp. 22 - 28
• Main Authors: Coleman, Carissa K, Fanning, Kim, Williams, Kristine N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01.11.2015
• Subjects: Communication; Dementia - nursing; Elder care; Geriatric Nursing - education; Health education; Humans; Long-Term Care; Nursing; Nursing Homes; Patient-Centered Care; United States > US
• ISSN: 0098-9134; 1938-243X
• DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20150515-88

Educating nursing home (NH) staff to provide person-centered care is complicated by scheduling, costs, and other feasibility issues. The current study compared outcomes for an in-service program focused on person-centered communication provided in onsite and online formats. The Changing Talk program was provided onsite in seven NHs (Educating nursing home (NH) staff to provide person-centered care is complicated by scheduling, costs, and other feasibility issues. The current study compared outcomes for an in-service program focused on person-centered communication provided in onsite and online formats. The Changing Talk program was provided onsite in seven NHs ( n = 327 staff). The online program included eight NHs ( n = 211 staff). Analysis of variance revealed an interaction between format type and pre-/post-test scores with improved recognition of person-centered communication in the onsite group only. Group program evaluations based on the modified Diffusion of Innovation in Long-Term Care Battery indicated no significant differences between training formats. Staff perception of the program was similar. Although statistically significant gains were noted in posttest scores indicating awareness of person-centered communication for the onsite group, gains were of limited clinical significance. Feasibility and effectiveness are important considerations for in-service education supporting NH culture change. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 41 (11), 22–28.]