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Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum
Published on: March 12, 2018
Perspectives of personal support workers and ventilator-users on training needs
Dina Brooks1, Barbara Gibson, Dale DeMatteo
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dina.brooks@utoronto.ca
Patient Education and Counseling
|March 8, 2008
Summary
Personal support workers (PSWs) caring for ventilator-users need better training. Both PSWs and ventilator-users agree on the necessity for improved, specialized education to address unique care requirements.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare
- Nursing
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Community-dwelling individuals using ventilators have complex personal care requirements.
- Paid personal support workers (PSWs) are the primary caregivers for these needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the training experiences and needs of PSWs providing care to ventilator-users.
- To gather perspectives from both PSWs and ventilator-users on training.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with PSWs and 10 with ventilator-users.
- Interviews were conducted in Ontario, Canada, within Support Service Living Units.
- Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for thematic patterns.
Main Results:
- PSWs reported varied training backgrounds, from on-the-job experience to formal diplomas.
- No PSWs received specific training in ventilator-user care (e.g., tracheal suctioning, ventilator monitoring).
- All participants advocated for enhanced training in specialized ventilator-user care.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear need for both initial and ongoing training for PSWs caring for ventilator-users.
- Participants held diverse views on whether training should be formalized or on-the-job.
- Standardized, adaptable training modules are recommended for diverse learning needs.
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