Perspectives of personal support workers and ventilator-users on training needs.
OBJECTIVE
Ventilator-users living in the community have significant personal care needs that are largely provided by paid personal support workers (PSWs). As part of a larger qualitative study exploring relationships between ventilator-users and PSWs, this project explored training experiences and needs of PSWs from the perspectives of both groups.


METHODS
Individual semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 PSWs and 10 ventilator-users living in Support Service Living Units in Ontario, Canada were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed for emerging themes.


RESULTS
Training experiences of PSWs varied significantly from on-the-job training, to a formal college diploma in personal care. While none received formal training in the specific care needs of ventilator-users such as tracheal suctioning, ventilator monitoring and tracheotomy care, all recommended improved training in this area. Their perspectives varied on whether training should be delivered in a formalized program or through individualized on-the-job training.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite differing perspectives on optimal training methods for PSWs, participants identified the need for initial and ongoing training to address specific needs of ventilator-users.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend the development of standardized PSW training modules adaptable for use in formal and on-site training programs that can accommodate a variety of learning styles and needs.
Brooks
Dina
D
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dina.brooks@utoronto.ca
Gibson
Barbara
B
DeMatteo
Dale
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires