Mental Illness Training for Long Term Care Staff

Abstract Objectives Mental illness is prevalent among nursing home residents, but staff are not well trained to deal with it. This research evaluated an Internet mental illness training program designed for certified direct care workers, ie, nurse aides (NAs). Pilot research was also conducted to explore effects and acceptance of the same program with a sample of licensed health professionals (LHPs). Design Trial 1: Pre-post randomized treatment and control design for NAs; Trial 2: Quasi-experimental pre-post within-subjects design for LHPs. Setting Both studies were conducted on the Internet. Participants Trial 1: n = 70 NAs; Trial 2: n = 16 LHPs. Intervention Internet-based behavioral skills training and knowledge building, using video modeling with mastery learning instructional design. Measurements Video situations testing and assessment of psychosocial constructs associated with behavior change; follow-up interviews with a sample of treatment NAs. Results Trial 1: Multivariate analysis of covariance analysis showed positive results ( P = .003) for knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention, with medium-large effect sizes. The training was well received by the users. Trial 2: Paired t tests showed significant effects on 5 of 6 outcome measures, with medium-large effect sizes, and it was well received by the LHP sample. Conclusions Internet training can be an effective approach to help staff work with residents with mental illness. In this research, it showed significant positive effects and was well received by NAs and by LHPs.