197797 Every Square Inch: Improving pressure ulcer prevention and management through web-based, instructor-led, and performance support solutions

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Peter Honebein, PhD , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
Richard Goldsworthy, PhD, MSEd , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
Issue. Pressure ulcers are debilitating, stigmatizing, and life-threatening. Healthy People 2010 targets a 50% reduction in prevalence and Medicaid will no longer reimburse hospitals for this “reasonably preventable” condition. Incidence and prevalence rates, however, have remained stagnant. Complex healthcare concerns generally require multidimensional sociotechnical solutions. Few efforts have examined the educational dimension of ulcer risk reduction, none systematically, and none incorporate state-of-the-science technology and pedagogy. Our ongoing research focuses on this dimension: how web-based, instructor-led, and performance support solutions can be combined to increase pressure ulcer risk reduction practice adoption.

Method. Educational content and strategies were developed using a multistage, multifocus, approach: (1) mixed-methods identification of audience needs, (2) articulation of expert practice, and (3) theory-driven, well-established development methodologies. Innovations include blending highly-interactive, graphically rich web-based courses with high-quality facilitator-led materials; incorporating video-based modeling within a narrative framework; and integrating authentic problem-based activities involving diverse patient cases from home health, long-term care, hospital, and spinal cord rehabilitation. Evaluation examined effectiveness and satisfaction among nursing students at a Midwestern school of nursing.

Results. Participants demonstrated increases in knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy. 98% strongly agreed they would use the skills learned through the solutions to reduce patient pressure ulcer risk. Overall satisfaction with the materials was 6.2 on a 7-point scale.

The presentation will discuss the audience analysis and content determination, innovative course components, evaluation results, and implications for ulcer reduction and future training efforts in general. Copies of courses will be provided.

Supported in part by Grant R44AR05031-03 from NIAMS/NIH.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe the current state of pressure ulcer incidence and prevention practice discuss the foundation and development highly interactive web-based and facilitator-led courses to address pressure ulcer reduction evaluate the acceptability and utility of the materials and assess their relevance to their own work environments Apply/adopt aspects of the educational COURSES and materials in their own work settings AND/OR Apply/adopt aspects of the educational development PROCESS or TECHNIQUES to their own professional development efforts.

Keywords: Professional Development, Health Care Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I served as project manager on the project, worked with SME to design the program, oversaw implementation, and participated in data reporting. My co-author is the principle investigator on the NIAMS/NIH supported effort.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Academic Edge, Inc. Instructional design/professional development Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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