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ERIC Number: EJ972511
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
The Coach Is in: Improving Nutritional Care in Nursing Homes
Rahman, Anna N.; Simmons, Sandra F.; Applebaum, Robert; Lindabury, Kate; Schnelle, John F.
Gerontologist, v52 n4 p571-580 Aug 2012
Purpose: This article describes and evaluates a long distance coaching course aimed at improving nutritional care in nursing homes (NHs). The course was structured to provide more support than traditional training programs offer. Methods: In a series of 6 monthly teleconferences led by an expert in NH nutritional care, participating NH staff received step-by-step instructions for implementing an evidence-based nutritional management program. After each session, participants were asked to implement the care step they had just learned. Coaching calls helped facilitate implementation. Staff in 18 NHs in 12 states completed the course. Evaluation data were collected using a resident data form, pre- and post-training quizzes, a participant course evaluation survey, and a supervisor's report. Results: NH staff attended an average of 4.8 teleconferences, with 5 staff members typically attending each teleconference. Average quiz scores increased 30% (p less than 0.0001) from pre- to post-training. A majority of course participants (N = 35) said they would participate in a similar course (82.9%) and would recommend the course (80%). Just under half preferred the coaching course to a more traditional 1- to 2-day conference. Nine of 12 reporting supervisors said their facility planned to continue the new nutritional care program. The 10 NHs that submitted resident data assessed an average of 5 residents using the recommended protocols. Implications: We recommend the coaching course format. Dissemination outcomes may improve if resources currently used for short-duration training activities are used instead on coaching activities that support NHs over extended periods.
Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A