Feasibility of testing a coaching training intervention for CNAs in nursing homes.

The study aim was to describe the feasibility of conducting a coaching training intervention on use of level of assistance strategies for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in nursing homes. CNAs received either traditional or coaching training. Feasibility of coaching training was evaluated by determining: acceptability, through use of a Post-Intervention Evaluation Form; fidelity, by adherence to protocol; recruitment and retention, by ease of obtaining the sample and retention rates; and ability to randomize within each home without contamination. CNAs' mean satisfaction score of the coach training was high (4.5 out of 5). Eighteen of 22 comments on the evaluation form were positive. At least six dyads were recruited within the 60-day benchmark in each home. CNA and resident retention rates were 89.47% and 85%, respectively. Eighty-nine percent of intervention group CNAs shared study information, demonstrating contamination. The coaching training intervention is feasible. Findings revealed areas to improve the intervention.

Pilot Testing a Coaching Intervention to Improve Certified Nursing Assistants' Dressing of Nursing Home Residents.

The purpose of the current study was to identify initial effects of a coaching training intervention using Level of Assistance (LoA) strategies compared with traditional lecture techniques on the appropriateness of LoA use by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and independence of dressing of nursing home residents with dementia. Seventeen CNA-resident dyads participated in this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). Control and experimental group CNAs received a 25-minute traditional lecture. Experimental group CNAs also underwent three coaching sessions over 4 weeks. There were significant between-group differences in the percentage of dyads who had improved scores for appropriateness of LoA use and dressing independence from pretest to posttest (experimental: n = 9, 100%; control: n = 8, 50%; p = 0.029). However, there were no statistically significant median differences between groups in appropriateness of LoA use by CNAs and resident dressing independence scores. There were significant within-group median improvements in appropriateness of LoA use (p = 0.004) and independence of dressing scores (p = 0.004) between pretest and posttest in the experimental group, but not in the control group. This initial pilot RCT supports coach training as a method to improve appropriate use of LoA strategies by CNAs and independence of resident dressing. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2017; 10(6):267-276.].