141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

282324
Impact of the personal and home care aide state training program on quality of care and retention of direct care professionals in Iowa

Monday, November 4, 2013

Kellee McCrory, MPH , School of Social Work, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Brad Richardson, PhD , National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice, The University of Iowa School of Social Work, Des Moines, IA, IA
Anita Stineman, Phd, RN , College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Erin Drinnin, MSW , Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, IA
Paige Harnish , School of Social Work, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
The intent of the Personal and Home Care Aide State Training program (PHCAST) is to standardize training of the Direct Care Professional (DCP), increase retention in a profession with high turnover rates and prepare DCPs for credentialing. The three year evaluation of the effectiveness of the training and its impact on retention was completed using a quasi-experimental design with 11 experimental agencies and 3 control groups. Quantitative data was collected using a Pre-assessment tool, post-tests from each training module, monthly retention data, and profession/job satisfaction survey data which was collected at six, nine and 12 months. Additional qualitative data to measure program facilitator and consumer satisfaction was collected through interviews. Curriculum development included a CORE module, required for all new DCPs, which focused on essential concepts all new workers need regardless of the employment setting (professionalism, person-centered care, communication, infection control, safety, and documentation). Additional training modules were developed that would help develop specific types of knowledge and skills that could be applied when working with consumers regardless of the employment setting (ex: home and community living, personal support, instrumental activities of daily living, and personal activities of daily living). All experimental participants completed the PHCAST CORE training module. Follow-up phone interviews for those who left employment were conducted. Qualitative data from the interviews were coded and analyzed. The success of the PHCAST program suggests adoption of the PHCAST curriculum and standardized certification will increase knowledge, maintain or increase retention of DCPs, and ensure a well-qualified workforce in Iowa.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe effectiveness of a quasi-experimental design for evaluating a multi-channel program Discuss the impact of standardized training and credentialing on retention of direct care workers.

Keywords: Aging, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have extensive public health program evaluation experience and have been the evaluation project manager on this particular project for three years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.