Online Training & Certification for Competency in Dementia Friendly Hospital Care

This randomized control trial (RCT) will evaluate the CARES Dementia-Friendly Hospitals online training and certification program. The study will allow up to 400 Allied Health Workers (nursing assistants, dietary aides, housekeeping employees, hospital transporters, lab/x-ray techs, and unit secretaries) to enroll as research participants from a minimum of 12 hospitals in three different states. RESEARCH STUDY IMMEDIATE AND CONTROL GROUP STUDY REQUIREMENTS Participants will be randomly assigned into the immediate training group a the control group. Immediate training group participants will complete a consent form, an intake evaluation, and have one month to complete the training. At day 45, they will complete an a follow-up evaluation (identical to the intake evaluation). Control group participants will complete a consent form and an intake evaluation. At day 45, they will complete an a follow-up evaluation (identical to the intake evaluation). Once the study is completed, each Control participant will be giving full access to the CARES Dementia-Friendly Hospitals online training program (at no cost). MEASURES INCLUDED IN THE PRE- AND POST-EVALUATIONS The pre- and post-evaluations include assessments on knowledge, attitude, sense of competency, burnout, job satisfaction, and job productivity, all measured with reliable and valid published scales. TIME TO COMPLETE THE STUDY: The study will take immediate participants approximately 8 hours to complete. The study will take control participants approximately 2 hours to complete (each will be given voluntary access to the 6-hour program at the end of the study, although this is not a study requirement). POTENTIAL RISKS: There are no anticipated associated risks to participants if they sign up for this study. This is an educational program focusing on dementia-friendly hospital strategies. COSTS: There is no cost to participate in this study. INCLUSION REQUIREMENTS: Participants must be an allied health worker currently working in a hospital or medical center to participate in this study. Participants must have access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with access to the Internet. Participants must be comfortable reading and speaking in English. Participants must be age 21 or older. ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: January 31, 2020. THANK YOU: Thank you for the interest in this research study. Participation is encouraged from urban, suburban, mid-sized, and rural hospital and medical center staff members.