Improving Competency in Safe Patient Handling Through Online Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Longitudinal Study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Occupational Therapy
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Traditional face-to-face training for safe patient handling is inconsistently delivered.
• Limited evidence exists that traditional training effectively reduces patient handling risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of an online training system for patient handling skills.
• To assess if online training, coupled with competency evaluation, can replace annual practical updates.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year quasi-experimental study tracked 243 undergraduate occupational therapy students.
• Participants used a multimedia online training system instead of traditional practical sessions.
• Annual competency evaluations assessed skills and safety in four patient handling tasks.

Main Results:

• Significant skill improvements were observed in sit-to-stand, repositioning, hoisting, and slide sheet maneuvers (p < .05 to p < .0001).
• Participants achieved 100% safety scores for repositioning and hoisting tasks.
• The online system demonstrated superior results compared to traditional annual practical updates.

Conclusions:

• An online training system with competency assessment effectively enhances patient handling skills and safety.
• This blended approach reduces the need for tutor-led training hours.
• The findings support replacing traditional training with online modules, especially in contexts requiring social distancing.