title: The effect of a feeding skills training program for nursing assistants who feed dementia patients in Taiwanese nursing homes.
abstract: A quasi-experimental 2-group repeated-measures design was used to test the impact of a feeding skills training program on 67 nursing assistants (treatment group n = 31; control group n = 36) regarding their knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavior control, intentions, and behaviors in feeding dementia patients. The treatment group received a feeding skills training program. Nursing assistants' knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavior control, and intentions were measured before (Pretest) and after the program (Posttest 1), and again 4 weeks later (Posttest 2). Nursing assistants (treatment group n = 20; control group n = 16) and the same number of dementia patients were measured on feeding behaviors during mealtimes before and after the training. The treatment group had significantly more knowledge (P < .001), greater intention to feed (P = .05), and better behaviors toward feeding dementia patients (P = .009) than the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups in attitude (P = .85), intention beliefs (P = .11) or perceived behavior control (P = .99). Thus, the intervention was effective at changing knowledge, intention, and behaviors among nursing assistants.
authors.affiliation: China Medical University.
authors.forename: Chia-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: May L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wykle
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Madigan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan