Feedback from clinical psychologists on the online version of the Communication and Interaction Training (CAIT) package

Abstract

The Communication and Interaction Training (CAIT) programme is a six module package designed to enhance caregiver communication skills. It builds on, and extends, caregivers‘existing skills in managing behaviours that challenge (BtC) in dementia care. An on-line version of the training was produced between 2020-2022, during the Covid-19 pandemic, to enhance the delivery of CAIT, and to further support caregivers’ good practice. To aid the development of on-line CAIT a number of pilot sessions were organised to obtain feedback on the package. This article provides data from the first of these pilots.Feedback was obtained from 16 clinical psychologists who attended a 5.5 hour workshop on CAIT. Satisfaction ratings for the modules varied between 87–96 per cent. Qualitative feedback was analysed using thematic analysis, and four key themes emerged: (i) Applicability in practice, (ii) Delivery and visual learning, (iii) Consolidation of content, (iv) Implementation of package. The overall analyses showed CAIT to be a well delivered and highly applicable training programme for staff working in dementia care. Specfic recommendations were made to improve CAIT, particularly in relation to its on-line delivery.