Assessing the skills of home care workers in helping older people take their prescribed medications

Abstract

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland applied a modified version of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to assess the skills of home care workers in assisting older people taking prescribed medications. In Northern Ireland, home care workers are care workers employed by health and social care trusts or private agencies. The application of the model has developed the skills of this staff group, improved the relationship between the commissioner and provider, significantly reduced the time spent by community nurses in individual training and assessment, and enhanced the patient experience for those taking medication. Overall, the application of this model has provided assurances to the Trust board, the executive director of nursing, and operational directors that home care workers are competent in assisting older people in this high-risk activity.

The evolving role of the personal support worker in home care in O ntario, C anada

“…While no Canadian research could be located which examined the monitoring and evaluation of skills transferred to PSWs, international studies recommend a variety of measures to ensure regular review of added skill, such as time‐limited delegations (Craftman et al., ), “control visits” by RHPs with frequencies determined by the level of care required by the service user (De Vliegher et al., ), and more traditional methods of evaluations such as observed clinical skills examinations (Smyth, ). However, these measures would require additional funding and time commitments.…”

“…Additionally, it is necessary that structural factors (e.g. policies and procedures) are in place and adequate time is allocated for service user assessment and PSW training/supervision (Smyth, ).…”

Community- Based Approaches to Cancer Prevention in Rural Thailand Based on Experiences of Accredited Health Professionals

“…Health care volunteer can act as home care workers. Home care worker who has trained skill can help health care provider work and enhance patients' health behaviors (Smyth, 2015).…”