title: The coach is in: improving nutritional care in nursing homes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article describes and evaluates a long distance coaching course aimed at improving nutritional care in nursing homes (NHs). The course was structured to provide more support than traditional training programs offer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a series of 6 monthly teleconferences led by an expert in NH nutritional care, participating NH staff received step-by-step instructions for implementing an evidence-based nutritional management program. After each session, participants were asked to implement the care step they had just learned. Coaching calls helped facilitate implementation. Staff in 18 NHs in 12 states completed the course. Evaluation data were collected using a resident data form, pre- and post-training quizzes, a participant course evaluation survey, and a supervisor's report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NH staff attended an average of 4.8 teleconferences, with 5 staff members typically attending each teleconference. Average quiz scores increased 30% (p < .0001) from pre- to post-training. A majority of course participants (N = 35) said they would participate in a similar course (82.9%) and would recommend the course (80%). Just under half preferred the coaching course to a more traditional 1- to 2-day conference. Nine of 12 reporting supervisors said their facility planned to continue the new nutritional care program. The 10 NHs that submitted resident data assessed an average of 5 residents using the recommended protocols.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend the coaching course format. Dissemination outcomes may improve if resources currently used for short-duration training activities are used instead on coaching activities that support NHs over extended periods.
authors: Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, 519 Stassi Lane, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA 90402, USA. rahmananna@yahoo.com
authors: Anna N
authors: AN
authors: Rahman
authors: Sandra F
authors: SF
authors: Simmons
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Applebaum
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Lindabury
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Schnelle
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013685:Telecommunications; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical