title: Assessing the skills of home care workers in helping older people take their prescribed medications.
abstract: The Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland applied a modified version of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to assess the skills of home care workers in assisting older people taking prescribed medications. In Northern Ireland, home care workers are care workers employed by health and social care trusts or private agencies. The application of the model has developed the skills of this staff group, improved the relationship between the commissioner and provider, significantly reduced the time spent by community nurses in individual training and assessment, and enhanced the patient experience for those taking medication. Overall, the application of this model has provided assurances to the Trust board, the executive director of nursing, and operational directors that home care workers are competent in assisting older people in this high-risk activity.
authors.affiliation: Medicines Management Specialist Nurse, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Elizabeth E J
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D018576:Home Health Aides / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009660:Northern Ireland; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Assessment; Clinical competence; Medication therapy management; Organisational models; Patient safety