Developing the role of the healthcare assistant.
OBJECTIVE
Two studies are described in this article. The first evaluated the preparedness of healthcare assistants (HCAs) to develop a new role and attend an HCA development programme. The second examined the impact of one NHS trust's HCA development programme on the role of the HCA, on other members of the multidisciplinary team and on patients.


METHODS
The research methodology was qualitative and inductive, using a naturalistic approach in both studies, and a 360 degree model of assessment and feedback in study two. For both studies, the data were analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. Findings Eight out of 12 HCAs in study one were prepared to attend the programme and to develop their role. Study two indicated a positive but restricted impact of the HCA development programme on the HCAs' role, that of other healthcare professionals and on patient care.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings have implications for role development in the NHS and for the development of programmes that aim to address these changes. The HCA development programme has been reviewed and extended, and strategies to promote and support role development in the clinical setting have been introduced in the trust where the research was conducted.
Hancock
H
H
Centre for Integrated Health Care Research, School for Health, Durham University. helen.hancock@durham.ac.uk
Campbell
S
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D032024:Personnel Delegation; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires