Advancing a relational approach through online education: A mixed methods assessment in older adults' care

Objective

To evaluate the experience of health-care workers who completed an online professional development program designed to support family carergivers in care teams in personal care homes. The evaluation focussed on issues of access and uptake of education modules.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used to include data from posteducation surveys, and online module analytics of use, to inform interview questions. Demographic data, survey data and video analytics were described. Focus group data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Mixed method data integration enabled inference development.

Results

Across eight personal care homes located in Canada and Australia, of 114 health-care workers (mainly care aides) who commenced the online education modules, 89 watched and completed the postassessment. Most agreed that the educational content increased their understanding, and the videos increased their knowledge. Ten participants took part in focus groups interviews. The education was perceived as another way to learn and was considered beneficial for individual and team practice. Health-care workers found it difficult to find time to undertake learning opportunities outside work when their lives were busy and involved other responsibilities or multiple jobs. The need for organisational support to coordinate time during work to undertake work-related learning was highlighted.

Conclusions

Caregiver-centred care education exemplifies enhancing relational care among health-care staff and family caregivers, beneficial for individual and team practice. By valuing education for health-care workers through creating opportunities for staff to engage during work time, a cultural environment that embodies continuous learning can be created in sectors caring with older adults.