Background: Substantial evidence from randomized clinical trials supports the benefits of early intervention/prevention for children and families. Translating these findings into practice settings is widely recommended, however the process of adapting evidence-based interventions to fit specific settings and populations is understudied.
Purpose: This evaluation designed pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability and effects of adapting an empirically validated parent/teacher training program for training registered nurses from a midwestern child/adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit (CAIPU) in effective child management strategies.
Method: 12 registered nurses from the CAIPU participated in a 3-day standardized parent training workshop. 15 nurses from the CAIPU who did not receive the training served as comparison participants. Baseline and post-training data were collected on participant-reported confidence and strategies for working with children and parents. Child management skills were independently coded from videotaped nurse-child play sessions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate training effects. Narrative comments were summarized.
Results: Preliminary analyses indicate significant improvements (p < .05) in self-reported use of effective strategies for working with parents and confidence in skills for working with parents and children. Nurses who received training reported greater (p=.01) frequency in use of recommended child management strategies. Participant satisfaction was high. Program training aspects identified as most effective were therapist discussion/teaching, videotaped parent-child vignettes, role plays and group discussion/interaction. Observation and narrative data are under analysis.
Conclusions: Adoption of an evidence-based parent training program for training child and adolescent psychiatric nurses was feasible, effective and holds promise for improving nursing strategies/skills for working with children and parents.
Implications: Further study on the training process and child and family outcomes of adopting this empirically validated program for nurses and other providers in a variety of settings is recommended. Investigation of the adoption process may illucidate effective strategies for translating other evidence-based interventions into practice.
Session #1214 - Mental Health: Children & Adolescents
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)