An Internet Training to Reduce Assaults in Long-Term Care

Physical and verbal assaults by residents on care staff are not uncommon in long-term residential care facilities (LTCs). This research evaluated an Internet training designed to teach nurse aides (NAs) strategies to work with aggressive resident behaviors. Six LTCs were randomized in an immediate treatment (IT) and delayed treatment (DT) design, and NAs were recruited in each (IT: n = 58; DT; n = 45). The treatment involved 2 weekly visits to the online training. Hard copy assessments collected participant responses at baseline (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and at 16 weeks (T3). The DT group viewed the program after T2. Hierarchical linear models showed significant group differences at T2 in knowledge, and these levels were maintained at T3. The number of aggressive incidents reported per day by the IT group were nonsignificant at T2 but decreased significantly from T1 to T3 with a large effect size. The program was well received by users. These results suggest that the Internet training was an effective tool to reduce assaults in LTCs, and training effects may improve over time as NAs gain experience using the techniques.