Better for All: Improving Care Relationships through
Communication Training
Background
We shared stories about positive health
outcomes and what makes them happen.
We selected important story themes for a
Research Topic:
having care providers that think outside
the box and dont give up.
Research Question
We developed a comparative
effectiveness research question
based on this topic.
What best improves the quality of
care in care relationships: (1) training
care triads in communication skills OR
(2) usual training of care providers
and their supervisors?
The Bureau of Sages is funded through a Eugene Washington
Engagement Award (2640-CJE) from the Patient-Centered
Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) .
A proposed Research Study by VSC Bureau members
Methods Desired Results
We designed methods and an intervention to test our research question. Better Quality of Care among Care Triad
Setting: In home personal care and household assistance Communication trainees:
Population: Care triadscare providers, supervisors and recipients
1. Improved care relationships
Interventions: Care triad communication training vs. usual training o clearer communication
o professionalism
Care Triad Communication Training o mutual respect and understanding
Initial training that includes: o progression toward goals
o Overview of best practices in o ability to adjust to changing needs
communication 2. Care recipient satisfaction with
o Training modules on 1) active listening, 2) o Personal care
elders communication needs and o Care of the environment/home
limitations & 3) conflict resolution 3. Accidents & falls avoided/decreased
o Signed agreement of goals/expectations
o Establishing ground rules for the care
relationship, with attention to
strengths/limitations of all parties
o In home activity in active listening &
restating Data Collection (6 months)
Monthly review of progress in care Pre- & Follow-up surveys (check
relationships to assess whats working, what in every 30 days)
needs improvement
Focus groups
Supervisors receive training on explaining the evaluation of care relationships. Survey question on accidents/falls