Cost-effective Training Programs Research Articles

Virtual Training of Medical Students to Promote the Comfort and Cooperation of Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities generally have less access to necessary medical care compared to those without disabilities. Barriers to adequate care include patient fear and uncooperative behavior during routine medical procedures and inadequate preparation of medical professionals to treat this population. Researchers have identified multiple behavior-analytic procedures for promoting comfort and cooperation during medical treatments. Efficient, cost-effective training programs are needed to widely disseminate behavior-analytic procedures to medical students and professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a virtual training to prepare medical students to implement behavioral procedures that could be easily incorporated into typical wellness examinations. Seven medical students received behavioral skills training (BST) delivered remotely via the Internet. Results showed that the training successfully increased students’ correct implementation of the procedures in roleplay with the experimenter and with patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Responding also maintained at high levels 2 weeks after the training. These findings suggest that virtual BST is an efficient, practical approach for training health care professionals to implement general behavior management strategies to increase the comfort and cooperation of patients with NDD.

Brief video enhances teacher trainees’ knowledge of epilepsy

ObjectiveRelative to the general population, children with epilepsy (CWE) demonstrate difficulties in aspects of cognition and mental health. Previous studies have found that teachers have poor knowledge about epilepsy, which may lead to inadequate management of CWE’s comorbidities and seizures, potentially impacting CWE’s school performance, social development, and safety. The current study aimed to evaluate whether a brief training program improves teachers’ epilepsy knowledge. MethodParticipants included pre-service teachers enrolled in the Faculty of Education at Western University (London, Ontario, Canada). There were no exclusion criteria. Pre-service teachers completed a questionnaire evaluating their experiences and knowledge of epilepsy prior to, and two weeks following, the training program. The training program consisted of a 10.5-min video and booklet that described the characteristics of seizures, seizure first aid, and the cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of epilepsy. ResultsPre-service teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy, seizure safety, and common comorbidities associated with epilepsy significantly improved after participating in the training program. Furthermore, pre-service teachers indicated greater self-reported knowledge about epilepsy and greater preparedness to handle a seizure in the classroom. ConclusionThe results of the current study demonstrated that a brief, cost-effective training program significantly enhances teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy, seizure safety, and the comorbidities associated with epilepsy. Enhancing teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy has the potential to improve children’s academic and social success in school.

Bridging the gap in respiratory medicine: How a pulmonologist from other continent can help African children who “can’t breathe?” The story of a European professor and his African trainee

An European pediatric pulmonologist successfully organized a 2-year in-house pediatric pulmonology training with simultaneous establishment of the first pediatric pulmonary center in Ethiopia. Collaboration of the local institution with a non-governmental organization (NGO) facilitated the realization of the program. Training cost was significantly low compared to the expected out of country training, with extra financial benefit enabling purchase of equipment for the center. Our experience shows that specialists from developed countries can be instrumental to establishing cost-effective training programs and founding of specialized services in low-income countries by training subspecialists in their own setting. NGOs and leading international professional societies can support such programs to relieve the suffering of the child who “can’t breathe” because s/he is born in a low income country.

The impact of skilled birth attendants trained on newborn resuscitation in Tanzania: A literature review

Millions of newborns die every year worldwide. Prevention of newborn deaths is a huge challenge in developing countries. Objective: This literature review reports the impacts of training skilled birth attendants in newborn resuscitation in Tanzania by answering the review question. Design: Systematic searches were conducted in the period of January to June 2016 from following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cinahl and Maternity and Infant Care. Participants and settings: 113,807 newborns are included from rural to urban settings in Tanzania. “Skilled birth attendants” include midwives, doctors and nurses, who have been trained to manage childbirths and perform immediate newborn care. Findings: The seven included studies indicate reduction in early neonatal deaths and fresh stillbirths after training skilled birth attendants in newborn resuscitation. Overall increased knowledge, skills and performance is reported, and action within “the golden minute” is needed. Additionally, a highly cost-effective training program is documented. Implications for practice: Training in newborn resuscitation of skilled birth attendants is reported to be beneficial, but not strongly enough in itself to make a difference for newborn resuscitation in Tanzania. Key conclusions: No training is stronger than it’s weakest factor, and extensive challenges in Tanzania are reported at several levels. The reported challenges are lack of human resources, knowledge, supplies, humanization and dignity in maternity wards. Additionally, hospitals often have neither water nor soap. Further training, action and research are needed to improve skilled birth attendant’s possibilities to save millions of newborn lives.

Potential Problems in International Human Resources Management Training Programs

Training program design, host countries context, cross-culture difference and expatriates’ learning styles are identified as the primary potential problems need to be considered in training programs. To cope with these issues, differentiated training elements are suggested to be focused on to build up a cost-effective training program. Operating in a global industry, MNEs may expect more integrated cooperation than those are in multidomestic industry. As subsidiaries in this situation are not implementers but cooperators, skills of network building are considered to be more necessary than skills of knowledge transfer and management. In addition, a cost leadership strategy may not allow a training program to be implemented in the host country, though it could result in a better outcome. Expatriates with different learning styles would be sensitive to different types of training programs. Differentiated training program based on these learning styles could also works effectively and efficiently.

Development of a home-based training program for post-ward geriatric rehabilitation patients with cognitive impairment: study protocol of a randomized-controlled trail

BackgroundGeriatric patients with cognitive impairment (CI) show an increased risk for a negative rehabilitation outcome and reduced functional recovery following inpatient rehabilitation. Despite this obvious demand, evidence-based training programs at the transition from rehabilitation to the home environments are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a feasible and cost-effective home-based training program to improve motor performance and to promote physical activity, specifically-tailored for post-ward geriatric patients with CI.MethodsA sample of 101 geriatric patients with mild to moderate stage CI following ward-based rehabilitation will be recruited for a blinded, randomized controlled trial with two arms. The intervention group will conduct a 12 week home-based training, consisting of (1) Exercises to improve strength/power, and postural control; (2) Individual walking trails to enhance physical activity; (3) Implementation of patient-specific motivational strategies to promote behavioral changes. The control group will conduct 12 weeks of unspecific flexibility exercise. Both groups will complete a baseline measurement before starting the program, at the end of the intervention, and after 24 weeks for follow-up. Sensor-based as well as questionnaire-based measures will be applied to comprehensively assess intervention effects. Primary outcomes document motor performance, assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery, and level of physical activity (PA), as assessed by duration of active episodes (i.e., sum of standing and walking). Secondary outcomes include various medical, psycho-social, various PA and motor outcomes, including sensor-based assessment as well as cost effectiveness.DiscussionOur study is among the first to provide home-based training in geriatric patients with CI at the transition from a rehabilitation unit to the home environment. The program offers several unique approaches, e.g., a comprehensive and innovative assessment strategy and the integration of individually-tailored motivational strategies. We expect the program to be safe and feasible in geriatric patients with CI with the potential to enhance the sustainability of geriatric rehabilitation programs in patients with CI.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (#ISRCTN82378327). Registered: August 10, 2015.

Comparing the cost-effectiveness of simulation modalities: a case study of peripheral intravenous catheterization training

While the ultimate goal of simulation training is to enhance learning, cost-effectiveness is a critical factor. Research that compares simulation training in terms of educational- and cost-effectiveness will lead to better-informed curricular decisions. Using previously published data we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of three simulation-based programs. Medical students (n = 15 per group) practiced in one of three 2-h intravenous catheterization skills training programs: low-fidelity (virtual reality), high-fidelity (mannequin), or progressive (consisting of virtual reality, task trainer, and mannequin simulator). One week later, all performed a transfer test on a hybrid simulation (standardized patient with a task trainer). We used a net benefit regression model to identify the most cost-effective training program via paired comparisons. We also created a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve to visually represent the probability that one program is more cost-effective when compared to its comparator at various 'willingness-to-pay' values. We conducted separate analyses for implementation and total costs. The results showed that the progressive program had the highest total cost (p < 0.001) whereas the high-fidelity program had the highest implementation cost (p < 0.001). While the most cost-effective program depended on the decision makers' willingness-to-pay value, the progressive training program was generally most educationally- and cost-effective. Our analyses suggest that a progressive program that strategically combines simulation modalities provides a cost-effective solution. More generally, we have introduced how a cost-effectiveness analysis may be applied to simulation training; a method that medical educators may use to investment decisions (e.g., purchasing cost-effective and educationally sound simulators).

Setting up a Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Training Program

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) training programs have become fundamental patient education programs in renal centers providing peritoneal dialysis (PD) services. Several key topics must be addressed in setting up a CAPD training program: Health care and organizational issues, Multidisciplinary team approach, Evidence-based practice, Pre-training patient assessment, Patient training Program evaluation. The PD nurses should identify key learning objectives for patient training. The essential elements of CAPD training are the training content and schedule, training assessment, and teaching methods. Program set-up also includes establishing a back-up system and follow-up protocols, which are essential for continuity of care in renal patients. Outcomes such as rates of peritonitis and exitsite infection, unplanned readmission, and patient satisfaction are all important indicators when the results of CAPD training programs are reviewed. The development and successful implementation of a cost-effective CAPD training program has a significant impact on patient outcomes in the renal specialty.

Staff Training Regarding Choice Availability for Persons with Mental Retardation: A Preliminary Analysis

Quality of life and choice availability remain critical aspects of new treatment programs for persons with mental retardation. The present study preliminarily investigated a brief training program for staff members to increase choice availability in living environments. A program of education, modeling, role-play, and feedback was used over a 5–week period for staff members in two intermediate care facilities. Two other facilities served as controls. Results indicated significant improvement in overall level of choice availability from preintervention to follow up for the treatment but not the control group. Contrary to expectations, however, levels of adaptive and maladaptive behavior remained unchanged. This study indicates that a cost-effective training program may be useful for enhancing choice availability in the short-term, but that other choice-oriented procedures may be necessary to generate further changes in effective behavior.

An Exploratory Analysis and Comparison of Railroad Employee Injuries on Rights-Of-Way and in Yards

The railroad industry is one of the oldest transportation industries in the United States, and until the late 20th century, it was also considered one of the most dangerous. Although this industry has made vast safety improvements in the last 20 years, railroad employees continue to be exposed to hazardous working conditions. Railroads are required by law to provide the Federal Railroad Administration with monthly summaries of injuries and illnesses that occur on railroad property. However, only in 1997 were railroads first required to report the specific railroad location where the injury occurred. Research was conducted to examine whether there were differences between injuries occurring in yards and those occurring on rights-of-way. Comparisons of these data indicate that, although railroad yards appear to be more dangerous in terms of the injury rate and resulting number of lost workdays, there are a lot of similarities in the characteristics of the injuries occurring in both locations. These results can be used to structure cost-effective safety and training programs that are appropriate to both environments.

A framework for the optimal design of instructor/operator stations in flight simulators : IEEE Trans on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 1990, 20.3, 571–581, 30 refs.

The flight training process is conceptualized using a systems approach and a framework for developing cost-effective training programs is presented. Using this approach, an expert decision support system for the optimal design of instructor/operator stations (IOSs) in flight simulators was developed. The system enables a designer to evaluate various IOS design configurations and choose a cost-effective configuration for implementation. The system encapsulates the knowledge on the design problem, its parameter, and the associated data assessed from a group of experts in flight simulation. The system was implemented on an IBM PC/AT and field tested with a group of design engineers. Their overall response to this system has been very favorable. Covered are the design approach, a taxonomy of the design parameters, the optimization model, and the system characteristics. Avenues of future investigation identified from this study are noted. >

A framework for the optimal design of instructor/operator stations in flight simulators

The flight training process is conceptualized using a systems approach and a framework for developing cost-effective training programs is presented. Using this approach, an expert decision support system for the optimal design of instructor/operator stations (IOSs) in flight simulators was developed. The system enables a designer to evaluate various IOS design configurations and choose a cost-effective configuration for implementation. The system encapsulates the knowledge on the design problem, its parameter, and the associated data assessed from a group of experts in flight simulation. The system was implemented on an IBM PC/AT and field tested with a group of design engineers. Their overall response to this system has been very favorable. Covered are the design approach, a taxonomy of the design parameters, the optimization model, and the system characteristics. Avenues of future investigation identified from this study are noted. >

The long-term effectiveness and clinical significance of three cost-effective training programs for families with conduct-problem children.

We evaluated the long-term effectiveness of three cost-effective parent training programs for conduct-problem children. One year posttreatment, 93.1% of families (94 mothers and 60 fathers) were assessed on the basis of teacher and parent reports and home observations. Results indicated that all the significant improvement reported immediately posttreatment were maintained one year later. Moreover, approximately two thirds of the entire sample showed "clinically significant" improvements. There were very few differences between the three treatment conditions except for the "consumer satisfaction" measure indicating that the treatment combining group discussion and video-tape modeling was superior to treatments without both components.

The long-term effectiveness and clinical significance of three cost-effective training programs for families with conduct-problem children.

The long-term effectiveness and clinical significance of three cost-effective training programs for families with conduct-problem children.

Microcomputer-based organizational survey assessment: Applications to training

As sophisticated technology continues to impact on organizations, a growing need for efficient, flexible and cost effective training programs becomes paramount. To cope with these increased training demands, many organizations have turned to Computer Based Training (CBT). The present paper describes a XENIX-based IBM PC/AT Computerized Executive Network Survey System (CENSUS) which can interface with CBT training programs to enhance training quality and assess training effectiveness. The multi-user support capabilities of CENSUS allow training-related surveys to be conducted in a more efficient, accurate and reliable manner than paper and pencil instruments. It is this microcomputer-based multi-user system, unique to CENSUS, that may provide an alternative delivery system for microcomputer-based training programs in the future.

The Training Development Decision Support System: An Aid to the Design of Cost-Effective Training Programs

The Training Development Decision Support System (TDDSS) is a computer-aided training development and evaluation procedure designed to support the conduct of the instructional systems design process. Training program development using TDDSS is conducted in two phases: (1) Training Design and (2) Training Evaluation. Phase 1 is carried out in three steps: Job Function Analysis, Task Analysis, and Learning Requirements Analysis. The product of Phase 1 is a series of viable Training Program Alternatives (TPAs). In Phase 2, a cost-benefit trade-off analysis is performed on the TPAs. The benefits assessment portion of the trade-off analysis is based upon the use of a flexible multiattribute utility measurement procedure. Resource requirements and associated cost estimates for each TPA also are produced during Phase 2. Following the completion of both analyses—benefits assessment and cost estimation—training program merit and cost indices are integrated leading to the identification of a preferred TPA.

A Constrained Maximization Extension to Incremental Transfer Effectiveness, or, How To Mix Your Training Technologies

The incremental transfer effectiveness concept can be extended to a constrained maximization context by replotting the data to form a set of iso-transfer contours and adding Constraints to this same graph as binding linear functions. This transformation permits an analytically elegant solution to maximizing transfer of training dynamically constrained by financial, environmental, reliability, or other restricting factors for any number of instructional technologies through application of the Lagrange Multiplier method. Alternatively, the dual problem of finding the minimum value of these constraints can be solved to achieve a specified transfer of training. An example of applying the Lagrange Multiplier method to training is provided and the potential usefulness of mathematical programming techniques noted. This extension is particularly useful in complex training environments involving numerous instructional technologies or frequently changing constraints. In the single instructional technology case, this extension provides additional graphical insight into the trade-offs involved in designing cost-effective training programs.

A Constrained Maximization Extension to Incremental Transfer Effectiveness, or, How to Mix Your Training Technologies

The incremental transfer effectiveness concept can be extended to a constrained maximization context by replotting the data to form a set of iso-transfer contours and adding constraints to this same graph as binding linear functions. This transformation permits an analytically elegant solution to maximizing transfer of training dynamically constrained by financial, environmental, reliability, or other restricting factors for any number of instructional technologies through application of the Lagrange Multiplier method. Alternatively, the dual problem of finding the minimum value of these constraints can be solved to achieve a specified transfer of training. An example of applying the Lagrange Multiplier method to training is provided and the potential usefulness of mathematical programming techniques noted. This extension is particularly useful in complex training environments involving numerous instructional technologies or frequently changing constraints. In the single instructional technology case, this extension provides additional graphical insight into the trade-offs involved in designing cost-effective training programs.

A Way to Bridge the flap Hospitals and educational institutions can develop cooperative, cost-effective training programs that improve the clinical skills of new graduates

A Way to Bridge the flap Hospitals and educational institutions can develop cooperative, cost-effective training programs that improve the clinical skills of new graduates

A Cost-Effective Parent Training Program for Use with Normal Preschool Children

A Cost-Effective Parent Training Program for Use with Normal Preschool Children