Evaluation of the ‘Ladder to the Moon, Culture Change Studio Engagement Programme’ staff training: Two quasi‐experimental case studies

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Care Homes provide supportive care for older people. The UK National Dementia Strategy aims to educate care staff to retain and increase satisfaction in the workforce and thereby improve the quality of care provided. Ladder to the Moon Culture Change Studio Engagement Programme (CCSEP) is a staff training approach based on the Positive Psychology framework that uses theatre and film-based activities. Aim:To evaluate the effectiveness of CCSEP on the range of interactions and level of positive engagement between staff and residents, staff outcome measures such as sense of competence, job satisfaction and well-being in two care settings for older people (one nursing and one residential home). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Methods Implications for Practice What does this research add to existing knowledge in gerontology?• Staff training interventions are needed to translate evidence-based interventions into widespread practice in care homes.• Nurses are enthusiastic to develop person-centred care skills through innovative training. What are the implications of this new knowledge for nursing care with older people?• This study found that this staff training approach encourages nurses to be involved in activities that apply theatre and film elements when providing care.• Managers need to be supportive of the Positive Psychology approach combined with theatre and film-based training to facilitate culture of care change.How could the findings be used to influence policy or practice or research or education?• When implementing this creative staff training such as CCSEP principles in carehomes, organisations require a coaching supervision plan to sustain the culture of change.• CCSEP has the potential to be successful if the manager has good communication skills and attitude to support the implementation of different activities, such as setting up a 'film studio' within the care home IntroductionThe UK National Dementia Strategy (2009) A number of studies have suggested that residents benefit when staff are trained to deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions, For example, the Staff-training in Assisted LivingResidences (STAR) programme (Goyder et al., 2012) decreased depression and

Capacity building for dementia care in community care services: a mixed methods approach

“…Such observation was not noted in previous studies because the staff members of the managerial grades were not analysed separately [8,25]. Given that organisational and managerial support is often regarded an a contributing factor to the implementation of dementia training [7,25,27], the findings seem to suggest the need for devising a specific program to address the training needs of this staff group. On the other hand, the insignificant changes of the older counterparts would need further investigations.…”

What influences self‐perceived competence and confidence in dementia care home staff? A systematic review

“…It appears that the most successful interventions were those that used on‐the‐spot coaching and that taught reflective and independent problem‐solving skills, suggesting that teaching enhanced by practical support is more effective than teaching alone. Indeed, a care home with a supportive management style performed better than a home where managerial support was lacking . Findings also show that access to dementia‐specific and palliative care training can also help to improve competence and confidence, as well as care delivery and staff wellbeing.…”

“…Indeed, a care home with a supportive management style performed better than a home where managerial support was lacking. 15 Findings also show that access to dementiaspecific and palliative care training can also help to improve competence and confidence, as well as care delivery and staff wellbeing.…”

“…Similarly, a study using positive psychology as an intervention found no increase in overall competence, but there was an increase in the 'building relationships' subscale for the care home that experienced higher-quality managerial support. 15 Finally, a study using an intervention to enhance staff skills found no significant difference in competence levels at the end of the intervention. 21 Intervention studiesconfidence and competence Two studies looked at the impact of interventions on both confidence and competence.…”

“…Two papers found a significant increase in competence following the intervention 13,18 and the remaining four found no overall significant difference in competence levels. 12,14,15,21 One study explored a communication intervention in relation to social competence and found a significant increase in competence post-intervention, which was maintained at 6 months follow-up. 13 There was also a significant reduction in mental stressors at work and occupational stress.…”