An Evaluation of a Multisite, Health Systems-Based Direct Care Worker Retention Program: Key Findings and...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare workforce development
• Occupational health and safety
• Health services research

Background:

• The U.S. direct care workforce, crucial for elder and disabled care, faces significant challenges including high turnover (35-90%) and low wages.
• Caregiver roles encompass nursing assistants, home care workers, and residential care aides, vital yet often experiencing workplace stress and limited growth opportunities.
• Demand for direct care workers is rapidly increasing, outpacing supply and creating critical staffing shortages in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Transformational Healthcare Readiness through Innovative Vocational Education (THRIVE) program in reducing direct care worker turnover.
• To assess the return on investment (ROI) of the THRIVE program for participating health systems.
• To identify areas for improvement within the THRIVE program's structure and implementation.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month program (THRIVE) was implemented across three health systems, offering risk assessment, training, and coaching for entry-level caregivers.
• RAND conducted a process and outcome evaluation to measure program impact on retention and ROI.
• Data collection likely involved surveys, interviews, and analysis of HR/financial records to assess program goals and identify improvement opportunities.

Main Results:

• The THRIVE program demonstrated success in improving caregiver retention rates.
• The evaluation indicated a positive return on investment (ROI) for the health systems implementing the program.
• The study identified specific areas for program enhancement to further support direct care workers.

Conclusions:

• The THRIVE program is an effective intervention for mitigating high turnover in the direct care workforce.
• Investing in structured support programs like THRIVE can yield positive financial returns for healthcare organizations.
• Continued refinement of caregiver support initiatives is essential to address workforce challenges and improve care quality.