Disease-specific training in Parkinson's disease for care assistants: a comparison of interactive and self-study methods

Objective: To compare two approaches to providing training to care assistants in Parkinson’s disease. Design: Pragmatic parallel arm controlled trial. Setting: Training either by an interactive training day at a local medical education establishment or self study. Subjects: Care assistants recruited from local health and social care providers. Interventions: The content of both interventions was similar, covering causes, symptoms, diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, multidisciplinary management, mobility, communication, swallowing, and involving 5 hours of study time. Main measures: Knowledge about Parkinson’s (assessed by true/false quizzes and identifying ‘four facts’ about Parkinson’s) immediately post training and six weeks later; views on training methods of care assistants and employers/managers. Results: Thirty-seven employers nominated 100 care staff who were allocated to interactive training (49) and self study (51). Training completion rates (retained to six-week follow-up) were lower for self study (42.1% vs. 83.7% training day). There were no significant differences between groups on quiz or ‘four facts’ scores at baseline or six-week follow-up. Immediately post training, the self-study group (with access to written materials) had significantly higher quiz scores than the training day group (no access to materials at test). Within-group comparisons showed improvements post training. Although interactive training may be preferred, obtaining release from duties can be problematic. Conclusions: Both approaches have similar effects on knowledge of care assistants without prior specific training. Providing a variety of approaches will cater for all preferences. The findings may be generalizable to training the care workforce for other specific roles.