INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY Continued from page 55
ACEBAC’s research, education and knowledge translation program encompasses the following areas:
Since feedback speaks the most, here are some quotes from people who have taken these courses:
• Dementia education and the translation of knowledge into practice
“I now feel so much more confident in the assessments of older people. It will benefit me and my line of work so much more. This course has had a huge positive impact on both my patients and me.”
• Sexuality and older people • Staff/family relationships in residential aged care • Decision making and people with dementia • Clinical risk in residential aged care • Pain and people with dementia • The use of non-pharmacological interventions in residential aged care • Care delivery for people with dementia in hospital Another important aspect of their work is to provide education and training to nurses and personal carers by developing flexible, evidence-based education programs. ACEBAC has developed two highly successful education programs: • Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Older Person (CHAOP) training for nurses • The Recognising and Reporting Changes in Residents’ Health education and training for personal carers. CHAOP education and training is a three-day, face-to-face, hands-on workshop for nurses working with older people. CHAOP uses Advanced Geri Nursing Manikins and other equipment to provide education and skills development in the areas of:
“Best training I have ever completed and the best thing is that it can be applied to all fields of nursing.” “Should be a mandatory for all RNs and ENs working in residential care.” The Recognising and Reporting Changes in Residents’ Health education and training program is designed to be delivered by an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse to Personal Care Workers at a residential aged care facility. The eight-module interactive program supports Personal Care Workers to recognise changes in residents’ health and report these changes verbally and in writing to the appropriate person. The 10-hour training program is suited to new workers or existing staff as a refresher program. The eight modules comprise: 1. Communication 2. Wellbeing 3. Movement and mobility 4. Skin condition 5. Breathing
1. Clinical reasoning and general assessment skills
6. Eating, drinking and elimination
2. Communication of assessment (professional issues)
7. Mental awareness
3. Musculoskeletal assessment
8. End-of-life
4. Nutrition, metabolism and elimination assessment
Organisations say their Personal Care Workers feel a lot more confident in their role, have a better understanding of the importance of reporting, and generally offer very positive feedback after taking the course.■
5. Cardiovascular assessment 6. Respiratory assessment 7. Cognitive and perceptual assessment 8. Psychosocial assessment ACEBAC has conducted in excess of 140 CHAOP workshops educating approximately 2,400 nurses. Workshops can be run in-house at residential aged care facilities or hosted by a service and open to aged care nurses locally.
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Dr Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh is Director/Associate Professor, Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC), La Trobe University. For more information visit www.latrobe.edu.au/aipca/ australian-centre-for-evidence-based-aged-care
