Simulation and coaching to prevent aggressive events in aged care: A pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Health
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Workplace aggression poses a significant risk in aged care settings.
• Aged care workers require effective strategies to prevent and manage aggressive incidents.
• Self-efficacy is crucial for healthcare professionals to handle challenging situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of simulation and coaching on aged care workers' self-efficacy.
• To assess the effectiveness of training in preventing and managing workplace aggression.
• To determine the long-term effects of the intervention on worker confidence.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 17 aged care workers.
• Training included education modules and high-fidelity simulation with real-time coaching.
• Self-efficacy was measured pre-training, post-training, and at six-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Participants reported significant improvements in preparedness to manage aggression and triggers.
• Workers felt safer in the workplace following the training.
• Self-efficacy remained elevated above baseline at six months, particularly in feeling safer.

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity simulation and coaching are effective in enhancing aged care worker self-efficacy.
• The training intervention shows promise for improving workplace safety and aggression management.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.