[Experiences in the training of personnel in homes for the aged]

This paper concerns a proposal in an area of increasing importance to social psychiatry: improving personnel training. A survey in 1980 of old age and nursing homes in the psychiatric region of the Zurich Oberland showed that a quarter of the residents suffer from psychiatric disturbances. As only 12% of the personnel have completed any nursing training, the signs of overwork and the changes in personnel are many. Therefore we have developed 2 successful methods for personnel improvement: A) Patient-centered, ongoing training sessions, and B) Periodic intensive seminars. The goal of both is to increase the professional competence of those working in these homes; to give them skills and confidence to deal with sometimes difficult patients, and to increase the likelihood of their "job loyalty". The evaluation shows a trend that such an approach helps to achieve these goals, to avoid unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations as well as reduces the turnover of personnel.