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Motivation for change in the health care of children with developmental disabilities: Pilot continuing professional development‐quality improvement project
Author(s) -
Ong Natalie,
Goff Roxanne,
Eapen Valsamma,
Tomsic Gail,
Moore Loretta,
Garg Pankaj,
Campbell Denise,
Waters Karen,
Castro Chenda,
Silove Natalie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.15175
Subject(s) - medicine , motivational interviewing , nursing , professional development , health care , medical education , intervention (counseling) , economic growth , economics
Aim People with developmental disabilities (DDs) experience significant barriers accessing and receiving optimal health care resulting in poorer health‐care outcomes. Continuing professional development (CPD) represents an effective means to alter health‐care staff behaviour to improve the care of people with DDs. However, given the scepticism regarding the effectiveness of certain CPD models' ability to alter learner's workplace behaviour, the current pilot study developed and determined the feasibility of a novel CPD programme aimed at improving the health care provided to children with DDs. Methods Motivation for Change (MFC) is a novel CPD programme based on empirically based behaviour and educational strategies including motivational interviewing, flipped classroom and process mapping. It utilises input of patients, practitioners, and family members during administration of the programme. MFC was administered with 14 staff members in a Sydney Children's Hospital Sleep service. Results After MFC engagement, staff reported significant improvements in their knowledge of behavioural characteristics of children with DDs, the difficulties they face, how best to support them within the learner's work setting and confidence in working with children with DDs. There was a non‐significant decline in their reported need for further training and expressed high level of satisfaction with the MFC programme. Conclusion MFC represents a feasible means of providing CPD to health‐care staff but further research is needed to determine objective clinical behavioural change. Evaluation of the impact on patient health outcomes, parent/child satisfaction, staff sustainability and overall system functioning is also needed. It may represent an effective model of CPD for other targets of health‐care improvement.