Background: The Transition Care Program (TCP) is a goal-oriented, slow-stream rehabilitation program supporting older adults to remain at home after an acute hospital stay. The integration of goal setting and behaviour change techniques in the program can help in effectively managing health-related behaviours among older adults to optimise their outcomes. We developed a behaviour change training module for TCP case managers to better use goal setting and other techniques to improve goal attainment and evaluated its efficacy in improving learning outcomes including knowledge and skills.
Methods: A two-hour training session across three TCP services was conducted for case managers to (1) improve their existing knowledge and skill of goal-setting and (2) introduce new content on behaviour-change techniques using the Health Action Process Approach Framework. Both theoretical (e.g. presentation) and practical (e.g. hands-on case series) strategies were used. The differential data from pre-training and post-training surveys was collected via pre-post Qualtrics surveys and used to evaluate the efficacy of the training against Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model at levels 1 (reaction) and 2 (learning outcomes).
Results: Out of 65 case managers, two-thirds had less than three years of TCP experience. Case managers rated training content, material, and delivery above the 75th percentile score (out of 10) indicating overall good satisfaction. Pre and post-training scores showed a statistically significant improvement across knowledge and skill (5.12 ± 1.72 versus 7.77 ± 1.61), attitude (8.02 ± 1.73 versus 8.75 ± 1.32), and confidence (6.63 ± 2.18 versus 8.23 ± 1.50) domains (P<0.0001). Qualitative data on experiences and future recommendations with the training are presented.
Conclusion: Our behaviour change training module improved the case managers' overall knowledge, skills and confidence regarding implementing goal-setting and behaviour-change techniques in the Transition Care Program. Future studies are needed to understand if these learning outcomes translate to improved health outcomes for clients.