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Markkanen PK, Gore RJ, Sama SR, Lindberg JE, Galligan CJ, Quinn MM. Coaching Home Care Clients to Prepare Their Homes for Safe Care Visits: A Mixed-Methods Study to Evaluate a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention Process. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:360. [PMID: 38541359 PMCID: PMC10970455 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Assuring home care (HC) workers' safety is challenging because the work environment is a private home. This paper presents the process evaluation for a proof-of-concept safety intervention study to assess whether nurse-led safety coaching, using motivational interviewing and a safety handbook, could enable HC clients to improve safety in their homes. The process evaluation objectives were to (i) document the intervention's implementation progress and (ii) assess the intervention's dose delivery, dose reception, and fidelity. Five agencies employing liaisons (n = 5) and nurse managers (NMs, n = 8) implemented this study's intervention and control arms. NMs assigned to the intervention arm (n = 6) coached 34 clients. Process evaluation metrics were assessed with mixed-methods data from (i) surveys completed by NMs during the intervention, (ii) postintervention audio-recorded and transcribed interviews (n = 6) with NMs and liaisons, and (iii) study progress tracking tools. The delivered dose efficiency was 85%, measured by the distribution of safety handbook copies to clients. About 94% of clients (n = 32) were considered "engaged" or "maybe engaged" during the safety coaching. Most coached clients (n = 30) were reachable for follow-up by NMs to assess intervention progress. Despite challenges, the intervention was implemented with good fidelity. Safety coaching can be applied in many HC contexts in larger populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia K. Markkanen
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
| | - Rebecca J. Gore
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Francis College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Susan R. Sama
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
| | - John E. Lindberg
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
| | - Catherine J. Galligan
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
| | - Margaret M. Quinn
- Safe Home Care Project, Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMASS Lowell), Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (R.J.G.); (S.R.S.); (J.E.L.); (C.J.G.); (M.M.Q.)
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Derk SJ, Hendricks KJ, Hartley D. National Estimates of Home Care Workers Nonfatal Emergency Department-Treated Injuries, United States 2015-2020. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:e26-e31. [PMID: 37853688 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Home care workers (HCWs) are a critical resource contributing to the well-being of others. Presented are data on HCWs nonfatal emergency department (ED)-treated injuries. METHODS Nonfatal injuries among HCWs were extracted from the NEISS-Work data between 2015 and 2020. RESULTS Review of NEISS-Work data indicated 117,000 HCWs with nonfatal ED-treated injuries; female HCWs accounted for 93%. Overexertion and bodily reactions accounted for 52% of the injuries. Violence and other injuries by persons or animals accounted for 15% and falls, slips, and trips also accounted for 15% of the HCWs ED-treated injuries. CONCLUSIONS The growing demand for home care services is increasing the number of workers at risk for injury. Future analyses should prioritize injury events among HCWs to gain a better understanding of the events contributing to injuries among HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Derk
- From the Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.J.D., K.J.H.); and Office of the Director, Office of Extramural Programs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia (D.H.)
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Olson R, Hess JA, Turk D, Marino M, Greenspan L, Alley L, Donovan C, Rice SPM. COMMunity of Practice And Safety Support for Navigating Pain (COMPASS-NP): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with home care workers. Trials 2023; 24:264. [PMID: 37038235 PMCID: PMC10088173 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a prevalent and costly problem that often has occupational origins. Home care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for work-related injuries, pain, and disability. Current treatments for chronic pain emphasize medications, which are an inadequate stand-alone treatment and can produce significant adverse effects. METHODS In this translational study, we will adapt an established work-based injury prevention and health promotion program (COMmunity of Practice And Safety Support: COMPASS) to address the needs of HCWs experiencing chronic pain. COMPASS employs peer-led, scripted group meetings that include educational content, activities, goal setting, and structured social support. The translated intervention, named COMPASS for Navigating Pain (COMPASS-NP), will be delivered in an online group format. Safety protections will be strengthened through an ergonomic self-assessment and vouchers for purchasing ergonomic tools. Educational content will integrate a self-management approach to chronic pain using proven cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. We will use a mixed-methods hybrid type 2 evaluation approach to assess effectiveness and implementation. A cluster-randomized waitlist control design will involve 14 groups of 10 HCWs (n = 140) recruited from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Half of the groups will be randomly selected to complete the intervention during the first 10 weeks, while the waitlist groups serve as controls. During weeks 10-20, the waitlist groups will complete the intervention while the original intervention groups complete a follow-up period without further intervention. Our primary hypothesis is that COMPASS-NP will reduce pain interference with work and life. Secondary outcomes include injury and pain prevention behaviors, pain severity, changes in medication use, risk for opioid misuse, well-being, physical activity, and sleep. Qualitative data, including phone interviews with group facilitators and organizational partners, will evaluate the implementation and guide dissemination. DISCUSSION The results will advance the use and knowledge of secondary prevention interventions such as ergonomic tools and cognitive behavior therapy, to reduce injury, pain, and disability and to encourage appropriate uses of analgesic medications among HCWs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05492903. Registered on 08 August 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Olson
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3222 SW Research Drive, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, VPT, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Psychology, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207-0751, USA
| | - Jennifer A Hess
- Labor Education & Research Center, University of Oregon, 1675 Agate Street, Eugene, OR, 97403-1289, USA.
| | - Dennis Turk
- Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Washington, BB 1425 HSC, Box 356540, 1949 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195-6540, USA
| | - Miguel Marino
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, VPT, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, FM, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Leah Greenspan
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3222 SW Research Drive, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Lindsey Alley
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3222 SW Research Drive, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Courtney Donovan
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3222 SW Research Drive, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Sean P M Rice
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3222 SW Research Drive, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, VPT, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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Gebhard D, Herz M. How to Address the Health of Home Care Workers: A Systematic Review of the Last Two Decades. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:689-703. [PMID: 36440715 PMCID: PMC9996797 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221141084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Making home care a healthy workplace is a societal concern but research on specific interventions is still scarce. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an initial overview of interventions addressing home care workers' health. All (quasi-) experimental studies, presenting any intervention among home care employees, and reporting any outcome related to occupational health, safety, or well-being were included. PsycArticles, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched from January 2000 to February 2022. From 16,345 publications, 18 studies with 2432 participants were included and assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Organizational and training/educational approaches were found in five studies each, a behavioral approach in one, and seven studies presented a combined approach. Due to methodological limitations and the heterogeneity of interventions, the existing studies are insufficient to inform new programs, but emphasize the need for tailored approaches, integrated concepts, and participatory intervention development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gebhard
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, 9184Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Herz
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, 9184Technical University of Munich, Germany
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Olson R, Cunningham TR, Nigam JAS, Anger WK, Rameshbabu A, Donovan C. Total Worker Health® and Organizational Behavior Management: Emerging Opportunities for Improving Worker Well-being. JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/01608061.2022.2146256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Olson
- Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Portland State University, Department of Psychology, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cunningham
- Division of Science Integration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,Cincinnati, USA
| | - Jeannie A. S. Nigam
- Division of Science Integration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,Cincinnati, USA
| | - W. Kent Anger
- Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Anjali Rameshbabu
- Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Courtney Donovan
- Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Simeone S, Pucciarelli G, Dal Lago E, Botti S, Gargiulo G, Vellone E, Alvaro R. Family assistants' living and working conditions and their interaction with patient and family caregiver variables. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2022; 93:e2022146. [PMID: 35545984 PMCID: PMC9534210 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v93is2.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The progressive and constant aging of the global population together with the economy crises and the social variations within family contexts increasingly leads to the use of external resources (Home Care Workers, HCWs) for health care within one's own family of origin. Purpose of the study is to describe Italian Home Care Workers' (HCWs) living and working conditions and understand the interactions with outcomes of the patients and informal caregiver. METHODS Observational study with cross sectional design to evaluate the interaction of HCWs without specific training on patients and informal caregivers' outcomes. RESULTS understand Italian HCWs' condition and interaction between these conditions and outcomes of patients and informal caregiver. CONCLUSIONS understanding how HCWs' conditions can affect outcome about patient and informal caregivers, represents a fundamental step in order to increase QoL of these families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Simeone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University “Magna Graecia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Gianluca Pucciarelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Dal Lago
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Botti
- Hematology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Ercole Vellone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosaria Alvaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Baron SL, Tsui EK, Quinn MM. Work as a Root Cause of Home Health Workers' Poor Health. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:9-11. [PMID: 34936390 PMCID: PMC8713610 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sherry L Baron
- Sherry L. Baron is with the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY. Emma K. Tsui is with the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY. Margaret M. Quinn is with the Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, and the Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell
| | - Emma K Tsui
- Sherry L. Baron is with the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY. Emma K. Tsui is with the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY. Margaret M. Quinn is with the Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, and the Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell
| | - Margaret M Quinn
- Sherry L. Baron is with the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY. Emma K. Tsui is with the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY. Margaret M. Quinn is with the Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, and the Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell
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Fernández-Puebla AG, Talavera JM, Carmona AP, Ferreres MLM, Pardo MÁDJ. Effectiveness of an educational intervention to reduce the burden on home care workers and facilitating factors: A pre-post study. Nurse Educ Pract 2021; 59:103279. [PMID: 34974322 DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine if a training program, aimed at home care workers, for caring for the elderly and for providing their own self-care is effective for reducing workers burden in the short and long terms and to identify the associated variables that can influence burden across 12 months. BACKGROUND An increasing number of older adults rely on home care workers as a complement to the care received from family caregivers. However, these workers do not usually have any formal training in nursing care and occasionally suffer burden. DESIGN A pre- and post-intervention study with a follow-up at 12 months including 86 participants. METHODS An 85-hour training course, which included a practical module lasting 35 h, was offered on five separate occasions between 2014 and 2017 in Barcelona (Spain). The care burden was measured according the Zarit Burden Interview and care knowledge and perceived difficulty performing care tasks were assessed. We also gathered data on the physical and psychological status of the care recipients. RESULTS The educational intervention was effective after training (-7.45% p = .020) and although the initial burden on caregivers did not worsen significantly despite spending 12 months caring for people with moderate physical and psychological dependence, the decrease in the burden was not maintained over time. Associated variables that can influence the burden over 6 months were the caregivers' baseline perception of lacking knowledge and/or having no difficulty with care tasks. The variable that could influence overburden in caregivers at 12 months was becoming ill before the intervention. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, the effectiveness of home workers-specific training has been demonstrated: a reduction in the perceived burden was observed immediately following training completion, but this reduction was not sustained at 6/12 months. The practical interpretation is that a remedial/follow-up training course may be needed. Whether difficulty in providing care or having sufficient knowledge and having an illness influence self-care maintenance requires further verification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenifer Malumbres Talavera
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Spain.
| | - Ana Pérez Carmona
- Foundation for Domiciliary Care, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - María Luisa Martín Ferreres
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Spain.
| | - M Ángeles De Juan Pardo
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Spain.
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Quinn MM, Markkanen PK, Galligan CJ, Sama SR, Lindberg JE, Edwards MF. Healthy Aging Requires a Healthy Home Care Workforce: the Occupational Safety and Health of Home Care Aides. Curr Environ Health Rep 2021; 8:235-244. [PMID: 33982149 PMCID: PMC8114970 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-021-00315-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To identify important home care (HC) aide occupational safety and health (OSH) hazards and examine how addressing these can improve aide health and the delivery of HC services overall. Specifically, this review seeks to answer: Why is HC aide OSH important? What are the most significant OSH challenges? How can improving HC aide OSH also improve the safety and health of their clients? What implications do the findings have for future research? RECENT FINDINGS HC is one of the fastest growing US industries. Aides comprise its largest workforce and are increasingly needed to care for the rapidly aging population. There is an aide shortage due in part to instabilities in HC work organization and to serious job-specific hazards, resulting in aides losing work time. Recent social, economic, and technological factors are rapidly changing the nature of HC work, creating OSH hazards similar to those found in nursing homes. At the same time, aides are experiencing social and economic inequities that increase their vulnerability to OSH hazards. These hazards are also a burden on employers who are challenged to recruit, retain, and train aides. OSH injuries and illness interrupt the continuity of care delivery to clients. Many OSH hazards also put HC clients and families at risk. A new framework and methodologies are needed to assess aide and client safety together in order to guide future HC research, policies, and practices. Government, industry, and labor commitment is needed to fund and coordinate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary research program.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. M. Quinn
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - P. K. Markkanen
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - C. J. Galligan
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - S. R. Sama
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - J. E. Lindberg
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - M. F. Edwards
- Safe Home Care Project, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 520, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
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Womack KN, Alvord TW, Trullinger-Dwyer CF, Rice SPM, Olson R. Challenging Aggressive Behaviors Experienced by Personal Support Workers in Comparison to Home Care Workers: Relationships between Caregiver Experiences and Psychological Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E5486. [PMID: 32751378 PMCID: PMC7432386 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Personal support workers (PSW) are caregivers for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) or adults experiencing mental illness or other behavioral health conditions. The work can be very meaningful, but many PSWs must prepare for, monitor, and manage challenging behaviors, including aggression. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of aggression experienced by PSWs in Oregon, and compare it to a previous sample of Oregon home care workers (HCWs). This comparison included an analysis of relationships between exposures to aggression and psychological health factors. PSWs in Oregon (N = 240) were surveyed electronically at a single time point. PSWs generally reported higher rates of exposure to aggression compared to HCWs. Experiences with aggression were positively associated with fatigue and weakly associated with depression, but not stress. PSWs' self-reported lost work time injury rate was elevated compared to the US average, but it was comparable to previous self-reported injury rates from HCWs. Physical demands of work were the most prevalent reported primary safety concern, followed by challenging behaviors (including aggression). Developing tailored training to help PSWs understand, plan for, minimize, and manage challenging behaviors is a social priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey N. Womack
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA; (K.N.W.); (T.W.A.); (C.F.T.-D.); (S.P.M.R.)
| | - Teala W. Alvord
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA; (K.N.W.); (T.W.A.); (C.F.T.-D.); (S.P.M.R.)
- School of Public Health, OHSU-Portland State University (PSU), Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Caitlyn F. Trullinger-Dwyer
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA; (K.N.W.); (T.W.A.); (C.F.T.-D.); (S.P.M.R.)
| | - Sean P. M. Rice
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA; (K.N.W.); (T.W.A.); (C.F.T.-D.); (S.P.M.R.)
| | - Ryan Olson
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA; (K.N.W.); (T.W.A.); (C.F.T.-D.); (S.P.M.R.)
- School of Public Health, OHSU-Portland State University (PSU), Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Department of Psychology, OHSU-Portland State University (PSU), Portland, OR 97201, USA
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