Levinson Anthony J, Ayers Stephanie, Clark Sandra, Gerantonis Patricia, Schneeberg Amy, Sztramko Richard
Division of e-Learning Innovation, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada, 1 (905) 525-9140 ext 26094.
Freelance Statistical Consultant, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
JMIR Aging. 2025 Jul 21;8:e67889. doi: 10.2196/67889.
Personal support workers (PSWs) are often expected to provide ongoing support for complex conditions and have identified an increased need for training in several areas, including dementia and mental health. Web-based interventions may be helpful complements to traditional in-person continuing education and training, but their effectiveness must be explored further.
This study's objective was to evaluate the usability, usefulness, satisfaction with, and effectiveness of the web-based Dementia Foundations Program among unregulated care providers who provide care to persons living with dementia or are in training.
A cohort of 50 PSWs, PSW trainees, and paid care companions from 3 recruitment sites were invited to access the Dementia Foundations Program, a 4-hour self-paced web-based program composed of 4 courses, for up to 6 weeks. Usability, usefulness, and satisfaction were assessed using surveys after each course and following the program. Dementia knowledge and attitudes were measured using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale and the Dementia Attitudes Scale, with differences between baseline and postprogram scores analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.
Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Of the 50 participants, 46 (92%) agreed that the web-based training met their expectations, 47 (94%) agreed that the training covered a broad range of topics and was not missing any important content, and 49 (98%) agreed that the web-based training would benefit them. There was a significant postprogram improvement in dementia knowledge as measured by the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, with an average 30% improvement across all cohorts. Dementia Attitudes Scale scores were also significantly improved postprogram across all cohorts.
This pilot study in PSWs, PSW trainees, and unregulated care companions demonstrated high satisfaction levels with the web-based Dementia Foundations Program. There were substantial improvements in knowledge and small improvements in attitudes for participants, and it was perceived as a useful tool that complemented their existing education and training. The Dementia Foundations Program is a user-friendly and effective e-learning program, which can be conveniently scaled and spread to enhance unregulated care provider dementia education.
个人支持工作者（PSW）通常需要为复杂病症提供持续支持，并且已确定在包括痴呆症和心理健康在内的多个领域对培训的需求有所增加。基于网络的干预措施可能是传统面对面继续教育和培训的有益补充，但必须进一步探索其有效性。
本研究的目的是评估痴呆症基础网络课程对为痴呆症患者提供护理或正在接受培训的非正规护理提供者的可用性、有用性、满意度和有效性。
邀请来自3个招募地点的50名个人支持工作者、个人支持工作者学员和付费护理同伴访问痴呆症基础网络课程，这是一个为期4小时的自主网络课程，由4门课程组成，时长可达6周。在每门课程结束后以及课程结束后，通过调查评估可用性、有用性和满意度。使用痴呆症知识评估量表和痴呆症态度量表测量痴呆症知识和态度，使用重复测量方差分析分析基线和课程后分数之间的差异。
参与者对该课程的满意度很高。在50名参与者中，46名（92%）同意网络培训符合他们的期望，47名（94%）同意培训涵盖广泛的主题且没有遗漏任何重要内容，49名（98%）同意网络培训会对他们有益。根据痴呆症知识评估量表测量，课程后痴呆症知识有显著改善，所有队列的平均改善率为30%。所有队列在课程后痴呆症态度量表得分也有显著提高。
这项针对个人支持工作者、个人支持工作者学员和非正规护理同伴的试点研究表明，对痴呆症基础网络课程的满意度很高。参与者的知识有显著提高，态度有小幅改善，并且该课程被视为补充其现有教育和培训的有用工具。痴呆症基础网络课程是一个用户友好且有效的电子学习课程，可以方便地扩大规模并推广，以加强非正规护理提供者的痴呆症教育。
