142Evaluation of a Tele-mentoring Initiative to Support Inter-professional Education for Health Professionals Caring for Residents in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Background: Inter-professional education (IPE) has been shown to have positive impacts on team-working within health care teams managing the complex care needs of older patients in nursing homes. With reduced resources innovation with technology could help meet complex care needs. Methods: Using the Kirkpatrick four level evaluation model the learner outcomes of the tele-mentoring IPE initiative were evaluated. The study consisted of both quantitative validated confidential questionnaires and qualitative semi-structured interviews. Results: Level 1: Reaction-was evaluated using a post education session survey and highlighted high satisfaction rates for videoconferencing technology use and perceived achievement of learner outcomes. Level 2: Learning and level 3: Behaviour - were evaluated using three different validated confidential questionnaires of two participating groups including doctors and nurses. Attitudes Toward Health Care Team scale (ATHCT), Team Skills Scale and Inter-professional Collaboration Scale were used. Attitudes toward team value mean total score for the nursing group was 87.3% and 76.9% for the physicians. Attitudes toward team efficiency mean total score for the nursing group was 80% and 85.2% for the physicians. Attitudes about the physician's shared role mean total score for the nursing group was 22.68% and 62.7% for physicians with a statistically significant difference. Secondly, the Team Skills Scale mean score for all respondents was 73%. Thirdly, Inter-professional collaboration scales overall mean score for communication was 74.2% and the mean score for accommodation of the team was 78%. Interviews revealed positive responses to videoconference technology, inter-professional collaboration skills learned and perceived improved clinical outcomes. Conclusions: These results show the perceived outcomes of learned inter-professional collaborative knowledge and skills resulted in behaviours recognised by the participants as ensuring effective case based discussions of complex patients within the nursing homes. Initiatives such as the tele-mentoring IPE initiative enables an integrated care service between acute and community services.