title: Effect of a DVD intervention on therapists' mental health practices with older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested the effectiveness of an educational intervention in DVD format aimed at strengthening the mental health practices of occupational therapists working with older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DVD intervention was tested in a pretest-posttest design. Occupational therapists (n = 30) completed a brief knowledge and attitude questionnaire; a chart review (n = 383) of therapists' (n = 20) patients at 3 mo before and 3 mo after DVD training was also conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaire data showed that the percentage of therapists with correct answers increased 20%-30% for 5 of the 11 knowledge items. Chart review data showed therapists spoke more often with their older patients about mood, depression, and cognitive impairment; screened more often for depression and cognitive impairment; and reported findings more often to the treatment team after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational interventions can significantly improve therapists' mental health practice with older adults.
authors.affiliation: Gerontology and Occupational Therapy, Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Room 231, Knapp Building, 87 East Ferry Street, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. c.lysack@wayne.edu
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lysack
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lichtenberg
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014742:Videodisc Recording