Mike Nolan

Reconceptualising the outcomes of Continuing Professional Development

This paper considers the potential outcomes, both positive and negative, of continuing professional development from the perspectives of practitioners and managers. Following a consideration of the literature it draws upon data collected during a 3-year evaluation of the English National Board Framework and Higher Award to highlight divergent views and tensions within Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Considerable discrepancies between practitioners and managers emerge which raise a number of searching questions about the value each group accords to continuing professional development. Based on the data a new framework for conceptualizing the outcomes of CPD is presented which fundamentally undermines a quasi-market approach.

Moving into a care home: the role of adult children in the placement process

Admission of an older person to a care home is widely recognised as a very stressful period for the family and one which, despite community care policy, is likely to be an increasingly common experience. Although there is a growing research base in this area, there have been few studies on the role of adult children in supporting their parents during this difficult transition. This paper reports on the third stage of a grounded theory study conducted in Sweden which explored the part played by adult children in the placement process. Data were collected from 13 adult children using in-depth semi-structured interviews and the results are compared with themes previously derived from interviews with 26 spouse carers. The analysis reveals important overlaps and differences and suggests the need for further research exploring the dynamics of the placement process.

Effects of Person-Centered Care Approaches to Dementia Care on Staff A Systematic Review

Person-centered care (PCC) has been the subject of several intervention studies reporting positive effects on people with dementia. However, its impact on staff remains unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the impact of PCC approaches on stress, burnout, and job satisfaction of staff caring for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities. Research articles published up to 2013 were searched on PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and EBSCO and reference lists from relevant publications. The review was limited to experimental and quasi-experimental studies, published in English and involving direct care workers (DCWs). In all, 7 studies were included, addressing different PCC approaches: dementia care mapping (n = 1), stimulation-oriented approaches (n = 2), emotion-oriented approaches (n = 2), and behavioral-oriented approaches (n = 2). Methodological weaknesses and heterogeneity among studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions. However, 5 studies reported benefits on DCWs, suggesting a tendency toward the effectiveness of PCC on staff.

Supporting family carers: a facilitative model for community nursing practice

It is the purpose of this chapter to outline an assessment and intervention model that can be used to support and complement the family care provided to frail individuals living in the community. Although the approach is a generic one, intended for use by any formal service provider, particular attention is given to the role of community nurses in creating a more equitable and appropriate partnership with family carers. The chapter begins with a brief overview of the demographic and policy contexts that have shaped the emergence of community care, and describes the way in which family carers are usually perceived by service agencies. Alternative models are then presented, and it is argued that professionals in general, and nurses in particular, must have a fuller understanding of the dynamic nature of family care if more tailored support is to be provided to reinforce effective family care. The need to link assessment and subsequent intervention to the relevant stage of care-giving is highlighted, and a number of assessment instruments developed by the authors are considered, their theoretical bases being briefly outlined.

Supporting Direct Care Workers in Dementia Care Effects of a Psychoeducational Intervention

An experimental study using a pre–posttest control group design was conducted to assess the effects of a person-centered care-based psychoeducational intervention on direct care workers’ stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. The intervention aimed to develop person-centered care competences and tools for stress management. Four aged care facilities were randomly assigned to a psychoeducational or an education-only intervention (control). Data were collected from 56 direct care workers (female, mean age 44.72 ± 9.02) through measurements of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), job satisfaction (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and focus-group interviews. Results showed significant positive effects in emotional exhaustion (P = .029) and positive but no significant effects in stress and job satisfaction. According to qualitative data, the experimental group perceived enhanced group cohesion, emotional management, and self-care awareness. Psychoeducational interventions may contribute to reduce direct care workers’ burnout. Further work is needed to determine the extent of its benefits.

Implementing a psycho-educational intervention for care assistants working with people with dementia in aged-care facilities: facilitators and barriers

Many intervention studies lack an investigation and description of the factors that are relevant to its success or failure, despite its relevance to inform future interventions. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a psycho-educational intervention for care assistants caring for people with dementia in aged-care facilities. A process evaluation was carried out alongside a pretest/post-test controlled study conducted in aged-care facilities. Seven focus-group interviews involving 21 care assistants (female; mean age 43.37 ± 10.0) and individual semi-structured interviews with two managers (female; mean age 45.5 ± 10.26) were conducted 2 weeks and 6 months after the intervention, in two aged-care facilities. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and submitted to content analysis by two independent researchers. Results were organised into implementer, participant and organisation level hindered and facilitator factors. Findings enable the interpretation of the experimental results and underscore the importance of collecting the perception of different grades of staff to obtain information relevant to plan effective interventions.

Effects of a Psychoeducational Intervention for Direct Care Workers Caring for People With Dementia: Results From a 6-Month Follow-Up Study.

This study aimed to assess the effects of a psychoeducational intervention, designed to improve direct care workers’ stress, burnout and job satisfaction, and person-centered communicative behavior in people with dementia. A pretest–posttest control group design was conducted in 4 aged-care facilities. Two experimental facilities received a psychoeducational intervention, and 2 control facilities received an education only. Data were gathered from 53 care workers at baseline, immediately, and 6 months after the intervention, through self-administrated instruments and video-recorded morning care sessions. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in care workers’ burnout and a significant improvement in several communicative behaviors (eg, involvement). Stress levels deteriorated at 6 months, and no intervention effects were found for job satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of providing care workers with both technical competences and tools for stress management, as this might be associated with a reduction in their levels of exhaustion and improved communicative behaviors.