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The impact of staff training on the knowledge of support staff in relation to bereavement and people with an intellectual disability
Author(s) -
Watters Laura,
McKenzie Karen,
Wright Rachel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
british journal of learning disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1468-3156
pISSN - 1354-4187
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3156.2011.00693.x
Subject(s) - psychology , grief , training (meteorology) , learning disability , challenging behaviour , intellectual disability , need to know , medical education , nursing , medicine , psychiatry , physics , computer security , meteorology , computer science
Accessible summary• It can be hard for everyone if someone they care for dies. • People with a learning disability may need extra support when someone they know dies. • Care staff may not always know what to do to help. • This study found that 1 day of training helped care staff to know more about how people might feel and how to support them. • We do not know how long this training was helpful to staff for.Summary This study aimed to investigate whether a 1‐day training course improved support staff knowledge about bereavement and grief in people with a learning disability. A questionnaire based, mixed design was used. Forty‐eight participants were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups. A staggered design allowed for group 2 to act both as a control group and to receive training. Within‐ and between‐group comparisons were made. Training significantly improved staff knowledge in all the areas measured. An analysis of staff knowledge at 1 month after training was not possible due to a low response rate. A short training course was successful in significantly increasing the knowledge of paid carers about issues relating to bereavement for people with a learning disability. The clinical and ethical implications of the study are discussed along with limitations and suggestions for further research.