Web-based Geriatric Care Training for Primary Health Care Workers

With the advancements in the field of medicine as well as the improvement in access to healthcare, people are living longer than ever before. Similarly, with decline in the mortality related to health conditions as well as declining fertility rates, the proportionate population of older people is increasing globally. As service providers, health professionals now have to take care of an increasing number of older patients in their everyday practice.  

The medical education training system in Nepal provides inadequate exposure to the principles and practice of old age care. As a result, health professionals do not have enough theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to address complex health issues of old age, inspite of expanding technology and understanding in the field. There is a need for practising health professionals to gain an understanding of the health-care needs of older adults through short-term training.  

The manual has been designed in a comprehensive manner, the aim being to provide a holistic approach to the short-term development of human resources, with a focus on frontline health workers.This is a reference manual meant for health professionals who will provide care to older adults in various levels of health care facilities. The information on old age care is meant to be incorporated into the everyday clinical practice of health professionals. This manual will help to enhance the knowledge and skills of those professionals. It is expected that the use of the manual will improve the approach to issues of old age and promote holistic care of older people, which will ultimately improve their quality of life.

Who needs this web-based reference manual?
This reference manual is focused on information about health problems of older people, specific management and holistic care. Therefore, manual is prepared for health professionals, preferably working in primary health care facilities, with special focus on Staff nurses and the Health Assistants. Each participant will access to this web-based training package.  

Why do you need this manual?
This manual provides the core information required for the training and for implementing geriatric care. It is not intended to be a comprehensive textbook.  

How do you use this manual?
This is a summary of the most important information for old age care. It is also intended to be easily used for quick reference in ongoing care and practice.

Course description

The training has three primary components:
1) E-based training (Self Paced Learning)
2) Classroom training (Presentations, discussions, role play and case studies)
3) Onsite learning in the health care facility

Blended learning approach: Self paced learning for 24 days (4 weeks) followed by 1 week of group based onsite training.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

• The participants are required to login with a username and password to access the course modules.
• The participants need to go through the Pre-Training Assessment Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) before going through the modules.
• Each MCQ carries a score of 1 with no negative marking.
• Each of the module begins with few assessment MCQs. The participants need to attempt these MCQs and then proceed to the content in the module.
• After going through the content, the participants need to attempt the time-bound module based assessment MCQs.
• A minimum passing score of 50% would be required to get into the next module.
• The participants need to re-visit the module until they secure 50% pass score.
• Correct answers will be displayed only after the participant passes the assessment MCQs.
• The web-based manual ends with Mid-term Assessment MCQs.
• The participant must secure a passing score of 85% in the mid-term assessment to qualify for the clinical training.
• The participants must complete the assessment within the stipulated time.
• The participants will be able to view their results and assessment certificate by clicking on "Dashboard" menu at the top.
• Participants will be selected for the clinical training as per the merit list from the midcourse evaluation.
• Participants will be placed 6 days for clinical training (3 days’ classroom and 3 days’ hospital setting)
  

Training Objectives

The training module has been designed in a comprehensive manner to provide a holistic approach to short term human resource development with focus on health professionals, who provide care to older people especially as frontline health workers in different levels of health care facilities. The information on old age care contained in these modules is meant to be incorporated into the everyday clinical practice of the health professionals. The training package will be useful for the knowledge as well as skill enhancement of the health professionals. The training is expected to improve the approach to issues of old age and act as a stimulant for the holistic care of older people which will ultimately improve their quality of life. After completion of the training, trainees will be able to:

• Perform screening, assessment as well as management of age related declines in intrinsic capacity
• Provide holistic care to the older people based on the available resources.
• Provide support to the care-givers.

Self Paced Course Outline

Participants will be provided maximum 24 days for the completion of the web based theory course to complete the five modules. Participants will complete Pretest with Multiple choice questions before entering the modules. They will complete the first and second module within first week (6 working days), third module within second week, fourth module within third week and fifth module within fourth week. Participants should score minimum of 85% in the midcourse evaluation after completion of the 5th module and will be selected for the clinical placement as per the merit list from the midcourse evaluation. They will be placed 6 days for clinical training (3 days’ classroom and 3 days’ hospital setting) and should score a minimum of 85% in the MCQ test for the final evaluation at the end of the clinical training for the certification.

Self Paced learning course Outline

1st Week Learner's Activity:

• Day 1:Receive the link, user name and password and log in to the site; Read out the instructions, complete the pre-course test  (Multiple choice questions)
• Day 2: Read: Ageing (introduction and trends), Challenges, Terminologies
• Day 3: Read Policies, Decade of Healthy Aging
• Day 4: Complete the pretest of Module 1, Read Intrinsic capacity
• Day 5: Read Person centered assessment
• Day 6: Read Functional status of older people, Complete the post test

Remarks: Watch videos provided in the link with each chapter.

2nd week

• Day 1:Complete the pretest exam for Module II, Read the introduction and age related changes
• Day 2: Read Psychosocial changes
• Day 3: Read Mental health issues
• Day 4: Read Loss of mobility
• Day 5: Read Transferring technique
• Day 6: Read assistive devices; Complete the post test

Remarks: Watch videos provided in the link with each chapter.

3rd week

• Day 1: Complete the pretest exam for Module III; Read the introduction,
• Day 2:  Read Fall
• Day 3: Read Urinary incontinence, Complete the post test
• Day 4: Complete the pretest exam for Module IV; Read introduction to care giver support
• Day 5:  Read elderly abuse; types, risks and signs
• Day 6: Read Elderly abuse, signs and symptoms and management, Complete the post test

Remarks: Watch videos provided in the link with each chapter.

4th week

• Day 1: Complete the pretest exam for Module V, Read the Health promotion strategies
• Day 2: Read Disease prevention strategies, prevention of smoking and alcoholism
• Day 3: Read Disease prevention strategies, Screening and symptoms,
• Day 4:  Read Disease prevention strategies, vaccination,
• Day 5:  Read Polypharmacy, Complete the post test for module V
• Day 6: Complete midcourse MCQs to qualify for the clinical training

Remarks: Watch videos provided in the link with each chapter