Changing Talk Online (CHATO): A Pragmatic Trial to Reduce Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia Care

Detailed Summary

Objectives AIM 1. Establish acceptability and preliminary efficacy of online CHATO modules through pilot testing with NH staff. AIM 2. Develop and pilot test the data collection tool with consultant and advisory panel input. Interviews of NH administrators and staff who participate in the pilot testing of CHATO and a process evaluation will be used to identify and develop supports for implementation and sustainability in preparation for future CHATO testing. Design and Outcomes The R61 will prepare for the R01 pragmatic trial by establishing feasibility of online modules and preliminary efficacy of CHATO with NH staff. The research design is a randomized clinical trial. One NH will provide initial feasibility testing. Any modifications to the modules will be made. Then six nursing homes (estimated N=150 staff) will be randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups. The primary outcome will be knowledge gain for staff completing CHATO training. Additional outcomes include resident quality measures related to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) on both resident and facility levels and facility level data related to inappropriate use of psychotropic medications to control BPSD. Implementation strategies will be assessed by survey and leadership interviews completed by an external evaluator. Interventions and Duration Changing Talk Online (CHATO) training is a course is to increase awareness of the importance of effective communication with older adults and to use evidence-based person-centered communication during interactions with older adults in nursing homes and other health care settings. The total program is approximately 3 hours, split into 3 modules. Each module is approximately an hour, depending on the individual user. Each NH will work with the research team for three months to plan, implement, and collect data. Sample Size and Population This course is designed for staff in nursing homes, independent and assisted living, and health care settings in the community that include registered nurses, nursing assistants, nursing home dieticians, direct care professionals, other administrations and support employees. All the employees at all seven nursing homes will be asked to participate. Assignment of NHs to intervention and wait-list control groups will be at random. A sample of 150 training participants are estimated.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions