Reinschmidt Kerstin M, Alhay Zahra A, Kleszynski Keith L, Jennings Lee A
Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States.
Department of Geriatric Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States.
Front Public Health. 2025 Sep 1;13:1601388. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1601388. eCollection 2025.
In light of the public health crisis of dementia, community health workers (CHWs) have increasingly received national attention as a public health workforce that can support individuals, families, and communities in preventing, recognizing, and living with dementia. With training, CHWs have high potential for making a positive impact on healthy aging and living with dementia. Recognizing the need for a CHW-specific training, the Oklahoma Dementia Care Network (OkDCN) developed the Dementia Training for Community Health Workers. This paper examines the training program's pedagogical framework and comprehensive evaluation processes, tools, and outcomes.
This training was developed as a train-the-trainer model combining didactic instruction with adult learning strategies. The training's content resulted from combining knowledge about CHWs in Oklahoma, National C3 Council recommendations on the CHW scope of work, and evidence-based dementia care strategies. The evaluation design measures effectiveness focused on the first three levels of the Kirkpatrick Model, i.e., CHW training feedback, knowledge and skill acquisition, and application of the training knowledge and resources. The OkDCN collaborated with CHWs to develop and implement the training.
Between June 2020 and March 2024, we conducted 15 trainings with a total of 307 trainees. Data collected on pre/post knowledge, self-efficacy, and post-training feedback were analyzed as a subsample of the total number of trainees. Among this subsample (50%; = 154) both knowledge and some of the self-efficacy items showed statistically significant improvements. Overall, trainees were satisfied with the training in terms of content, format, and delivery. A follow-up survey showed that trainees appreciated the practical value of the training for their jobs and used the information in their day-to-day work, but did not yet conduct dementia trainings in their communities.
As CHWs are tasked with alleviating the public health crisis of dementia, they necessitate geriatric-focused education that is evidence based, workforce-appropriate, and adaptable to diverse communities. Designed specifically for CHWs as a peer-implemented train-the-trainer model, this innovative training contributes to both workforce development and health equity. CHWs who apply or pass on their knowledge can make positive impacts on their communities' healthy aging.
鉴于痴呆症的公共卫生危机，社区卫生工作者（CHW）作为一支能够支持个人、家庭和社区预防、识别痴呆症并与之共处的公共卫生力量，越来越受到国家的关注。通过培训，社区卫生工作者在促进健康老龄化和与痴呆症共处方面具有产生积极影响的巨大潜力。认识到需要针对社区卫生工作者的特定培训，俄克拉荷马州痴呆症护理网络（OkDCN）开发了社区卫生工作者痴呆症培训项目。本文探讨了该培训项目的教学框架以及全面的评估过程、工具和结果。
本培训采用培训师培训模式，将讲授式教学与成人学习策略相结合。培训内容结合了俄克拉荷马州社区卫生工作者的相关知识、国家C3委员会关于社区卫生工作者工作范围的建议以及循证痴呆症护理策略。评估设计衡量有效性的重点是柯克帕特里克模型的前三个层次，即社区卫生工作者培训反馈、知识和技能获取以及培训知识和资源的应用。俄克拉荷马州痴呆症护理网络与社区卫生工作者合作开展并实施了培训。
在2020年6月至2024年3月期间，我们共开展了15次培训，共有307名学员。收集的关于培训前/后的知识、自我效能以及培训后反馈的数据作为学员总数的子样本进行分析。在这个子样本（50%；n = 154）中，知识和一些自我效能项目均显示出统计学上的显著改善。总体而言，学员对培训的内容、形式和授课方式感到满意。一项后续调查显示，学员们认可培训对其工作的实用价值，并在日常工作中运用了所学信息，但尚未在其社区开展痴呆症培训。
由于社区卫生工作者肩负着缓解痴呆症公共卫生危机的任务，他们需要接受以老年医学为重点、基于证据、适合该劳动力群体且能适应不同社区的教育。作为一种由同行实施的培训师培训模式，专门为社区卫生工作者设计的这种创新培训有助于劳动力发展和健康公平。应用或传授知识的社区卫生工作者能够对其社区的健康老龄化产生积极影响。
