title: Disease-specific training in Parkinson's disease for care assistants: a comparison of interactive and self-study methods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two approaches to providing training to care assistants in Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pragmatic parallel arm controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Training either by an interactive training day at a local medical education establishment or self study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Care assistants recruited from local health and social care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The content of both interventions was similar, covering causes, symptoms, diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, multidisciplinary management, mobility, communication, swallowing, and involving 5 hours of study time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge about Parkinson's (assessed by true/false quizzes and identifying 'four facts' about Parkinson's) immediately post training and six weeks later; views on training methods of care assistants and employers/managers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven employers nominated 100 care staff who were allocated to interactive training (49) and self study (51). Training completion rates (retained to six-week follow-up) were lower for self study (42.1% vs. 83.7% training day). There were no significant differences between groups on quiz or 'four facts' scores at baseline or six-week follow-up. Immediately post training, the self-study group (with access to written materials) had significantly higher quiz scores than the training day group (no access to materials at test). Within-group comparisons showed improvements post training. Although interactive training may be preferred, obtaining release from duties can be problematic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both approaches have similar effects on knowledge of care assistants without prior specific training. Providing a variety of approaches will cater for all preferences. The findings may be generalizable to training the care workforce for other specific roles.
authors.affiliation: School of Informatics, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Axelrod
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gage
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: Sharlene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trend
authors.forename: Derick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult