Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics

Abstract Introduction Long-term care education is critical, and all residents need to be knowledgeable about this important part of the health care system as demonstrated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency of systems-based practice. The goal of the “L...

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Main Authors: Loren Wilkerson, Gwendolen Buhr, Heidi White
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association of American Medical Colleges 2013-12-01
Series:MedEdPORTAL
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9626
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author Loren Wilkerson
Gwendolen Buhr
Heidi White
author_facet Loren Wilkerson
Gwendolen Buhr
Heidi White
author_sort Loren Wilkerson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Long-term care education is critical, and all residents need to be knowledgeable about this important part of the health care system as demonstrated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency of systems-based practice. The goal of the “Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics” curriculum is to introduce housestaff of all levels to important topics in long-term care. It introduces learners to long-term care demographics, the different levels of long-term care, how long-term care is financed, as well as an interpretation of quality indicators in skilled nursing facilities. Methods This 2.5-hour session is divided into three parts: an introductory interactive lecture, WebQuests, and peer teaching with discussion. Before and after the session, pre- and posttests were administered to assess the learner's knowledge and self-efficacy. They were also given the opportunity to submit written feedback. The knowledge tests were scored and mean scores calculated. Results Knowledge test scores improved on average for each learner after completing the session with pre (3.4) to post (6.4) mean scores. Self-efficacy was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Agree to 5 = Strongly Disagree). Improvement in self-efficacy is indicated by decreasing mean Likert scores. For the Learning the Basics session, learners on average agreed (mean Likert Score 1.9) that they had the knowledge and skills necessary to assess their patient's care needs and to make long-term care recommendations. This was unchanged after the session (1.9), perhaps because the learners felt they were more “expert” on the material than they actually were prior to the session. Written feedback was positive and reflected that the learners felt the session was worthwhile and informative. The small group format was singled out as “an excellent method to improve learning and cooperation” as well as “interactive and kept us interested.” Negative comments generally highlighted that lecture may have been a more efficient use of their time to review the information while others expressed concern about obtaining adequate information from their peers' presentations. Discussion In sum, this curriculum has demonstrated effectiveness in improving learner's knowledge and self-efficacy about important topics in long-term care. It was the first curriculum established for the Duke University Internal Medicine Residency program to formally educate house staff about long-term care and will continue to be presented in the future.
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spelling doaj.art-eba660b595a9402ab2c5df5aabad27672022-12-22T04:12:09ZengAssociation of American Medical CollegesMedEdPORTAL2374-82652013-12-01910.15766/mep_2374-8265.9626Long-Term Care: Learning the BasicsLoren Wilkerson0Gwendolen Buhr1Heidi White21 Duke University School of Medicine2 Duke University School of Medicine3 Duke University School of MedicineAbstract Introduction Long-term care education is critical, and all residents need to be knowledgeable about this important part of the health care system as demonstrated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency of systems-based practice. The goal of the “Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics” curriculum is to introduce housestaff of all levels to important topics in long-term care. It introduces learners to long-term care demographics, the different levels of long-term care, how long-term care is financed, as well as an interpretation of quality indicators in skilled nursing facilities. Methods This 2.5-hour session is divided into three parts: an introductory interactive lecture, WebQuests, and peer teaching with discussion. Before and after the session, pre- and posttests were administered to assess the learner's knowledge and self-efficacy. They were also given the opportunity to submit written feedback. The knowledge tests were scored and mean scores calculated. Results Knowledge test scores improved on average for each learner after completing the session with pre (3.4) to post (6.4) mean scores. Self-efficacy was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Agree to 5 = Strongly Disagree). Improvement in self-efficacy is indicated by decreasing mean Likert scores. For the Learning the Basics session, learners on average agreed (mean Likert Score 1.9) that they had the knowledge and skills necessary to assess their patient's care needs and to make long-term care recommendations. This was unchanged after the session (1.9), perhaps because the learners felt they were more “expert” on the material than they actually were prior to the session. Written feedback was positive and reflected that the learners felt the session was worthwhile and informative. The small group format was singled out as “an excellent method to improve learning and cooperation” as well as “interactive and kept us interested.” Negative comments generally highlighted that lecture may have been a more efficient use of their time to review the information while others expressed concern about obtaining adequate information from their peers' presentations. Discussion In sum, this curriculum has demonstrated effectiveness in improving learner's knowledge and self-efficacy about important topics in long-term care. It was the first curriculum established for the Duke University Internal Medicine Residency program to formally educate house staff about long-term care and will continue to be presented in the future.http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9626Internship and ResidencyEducationMedicalLong-Term CareLTCNursing Homes
spellingShingle Loren Wilkerson
Gwendolen Buhr
Heidi White
Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
MedEdPORTAL
Internship and Residency
Education
Medical
Long-Term Care
LTC
Nursing Homes
title Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
title_full Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
title_fullStr Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
title_full_unstemmed Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
title_short Long-Term Care: Learning the Basics
title_sort long term care learning the basics
topic Internship and Residency
Education
Medical
Long-Term Care
LTC
Nursing Homes
url http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9626
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