A Frailty Education Programme for care home staff

Poster ID
2853
Authors' names
S Ninan1; V Printz2; T Denman1
Author's provenances
1. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 2. Yorkshire Deanery

Abstract

Abstract Content - Introduction

We wished to improve the knowledge of care home staff in Leeds in identifying frailty and managing frailty related problems

Method

We developed a frailty education course (www.leedsfrailtyeducation.co.uk) which was then refined and modified to target care home staff. We engaged key stakeholders at the council and the ICB to help develop and promote the course. The course was delivered across 4 venues in Leeds by geriatricians, a pharmacist and a community nurse.

Results

We had 128 attendees across the four days. From the feedback taken immediately after the study day (n=69): -100% of attendees found that the content was useful and well delivered. -97% of attendees improved their knowledge of frailty and 100% improved knowledge of CGA. -CGA, assessing delirium and positive approaches to managing dementia were the 3 most common things attendees intended to take away for their future practice. From the follow-up feedback (n=19): - 95% (18/19) ‘extremely agree’ with the statements “Attending the training day has improved my understanding of frailty” and “I would recommend my colleagues attend this course” -42% (8/19) have implemented frailty assessments as part of standard care in some form Attendees also valued the multi-sector, multi-professional expert presenters alongside the opportunity to meet and interact in-person.

Conclusion(s)

A dedicated study day for care home staff was well received by attendees and feedback received demonstrated self-reported lasting change to practice. Key enablers to the success of the course were: the reputation of the course locally which had been piloted and delivered in different formats previously, tailoring the material to the audience, and delivering the course in several different locations. More regular frailty teaching days can be implemented to capture more care home staff and ultimately improve care for residents.