Effectiveness of an aged simulation training suit to support development of compassion and person‐centred care in the aged‐care workforce

Abstract

Objectives: The Australian aged-care sector employees are diverse, with a wide range of training backgrounds and work experience. Compassion and personcentred care (PCC) are essential for quality care. Effective training is required to facilitate compassion and PCC in the diverse workforce. Methods: Eligible staff members (n = 732) participated in a 3-hour training activity using an aged simulation training suit. Training sessions were offered at eight ACH Group residential care sites. During the training, staff were required to complete functional daily tasks while wearing the suit. Pre-and post-training questionnaires were used to assess change in staff members' self-assessment of compassion and PCC. The Compassion Competence Scale and the Personcentred Care Assessment Tool were used to assess compassion and PCC. Results: In total, 160 (22%) staff members participated in the evaluation of the training. Overall, participants reported significant improvements in self-reported compassion (p < 0.01) and PCC after the training (p < 0.001), compassionate communication (p < 0.001) and insight (p < 0.001), and ability to personalise care (p < 0.001) and in recognising patients' environmental accessibility (p < 0.01). Conclusions:The simulation activity improved aspects of compassion and person-centred care for the aged-care workforce. Further research is required to understand whether these changes are reflected in daily practice.

Compassion and person‐centred care: Survey development for aged care workers

“…The distribution of the responses to the two questionnaires was skewed as the median for most of the items was greater than 4.0 20 …”

“…Preliminary data analysis established that the distribution of responses to most of the individual scale items was skewed, with median scores greater than 4.0 20 …”

“…The distribution of the responses to the two questionnaires was skewed as the median for most of the items was greater than 4.0. 20 The results of paired Kendall's tau-b correlation between the first and second administration of the P-CAT and CCS questionnaires were considered to be moderate to strong across each subscale. The overall test-retest Tau-b value of the P-CAT was 0.40, and between 0.47 and 0.66 for the subscales.…”

Moving with the times

“…2,3 Bennett et al's article discusses the innovative use of an aged simulation suit to engender compassion and person-centred care. 4 Jameson and Parkinson report that both individual and organisation factors influence compassion fatigue. 3 Whilst governments can provide fiscal and regulatory support, the sector will be responsible for ensuring a well-trained, well-equipped workforce is available to promote compassionate care delivery.…”

“…Articles in this Issue note the challenges of both measuring and maintaining compassion 2,3 . Bennett et al's article discusses the innovative use of an aged simulation suit to engender compassion and person‐centred care 4 . Jameson and Parkinson report that both individual and organisation factors influence compassion fatigue 3 .…”