title: The value of geriatric care enhancement training for direct service workers.
abstract: This study reports on the evaluation of a skills-enhancement training series for direct service providers in home care that was part of a federally funded state-level initiative to improve employee recruitment and retention. The gerontological training curriculum included content to improve problem-solving, communication, and stress management skills in order to increase professionalism and self-efficacy. While the first year of training utilized a network of "real-time" compressed video-teleconferencing broadcast to satellite sites statewide, these broadcasts were videotaped and accompanied by trained moderator-led scripted case study discussions at each of the sites during the second year. As the training series progressed, there was a linear increase in the likelihood that training would change the way participants performed their jobs in the future. Importantly, the training was more highly rated by the participants who had a greater commitment to pursuing their care work with geriatric clients. The merit of the program and implications of the results for the issue of employee retention are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Center on Aging, PO Box 980229, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. ccoogle@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Constance L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Coogle
authors.forename: Iris A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Parham
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jablonski
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rachel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control