Training Needs Assessment Research Articles

Working With LGBT Older Adults: An Assessment of Employee Training Practices, Needs, and Preferences of Senior Service Organizations in Minnesota

As the population ages and LGBT older adults become more visible among senior service providers, the need for cultural competency training will grow. Although this training is a relatively new phenomenon, curricula exist. These are generally in person for 2- to 8-hr durations. Training to Serve embarked on a study to investigate preferences in cultural competency format and duration. One-hundred and eighty-four Minnesota service providers participated in the online survey. The majority (90%) were interested in participating in LGBT cultural competency training. Results suggest a preference for shorter duration and online formats. Implications for curricula development and future research are included.

Needs assessment for training in interprofessional skills in Swiss primary care: a Delphi study

Despite the importance of appropriate interprofessional collaboration in health care, it is still insufficiently taught in health professions education. The aim of the study was to conduct a needs assessment among health professionals on the themes and skills to be taught during interprofessional education programs in the context of Swiss primary care. A three round Delphi electronic survey was carried out in order to identify priority themes and skills to be included in such a program. Participants comprised 12 categories of health professionals. Seventy-two participated in the first, 41 in the second and 43 in the third round. Patient communication, case management of chronic conditions, therapeutic patient education, health promotion and prevention, ethics and medication were the most important themes identified. The most important skill was regarded as “to define and then share tasks and responsibilities between professionals”. Sub-analysis revealed that both priority themes and skills chosen differed between health professional categories.

Needs assessment for electrosurgery training of residents and faculty in obstetrics and gynecology.

Background and Objectives:Effective application of electrosurgical techniques requires knowledge of energy sources and electric circuits to produce desired tissue effects. A lack of electrosurgery knowledge may negatively affect patient outcomes and safety. Our objective was to survey obstetrics-gynecology trainees and faculty to assess their basic knowledge of electrosurgery concepts as a needs assessment for formal electrosurgery training.Methods:We performed an observational study with a sample of convenience at 2 academic hospitals (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mount Auburn Hospital). Grand rounds dedicated to electrosurgery teaching were conducted at each department of obstetrics and gynecology, where a short electrosurgery multiple-choice examination was administered to attendees.Results:The face validity of the test content was obtained from a gynecologic electrosurgery specialist. Forty-four individuals completed the examination. Test scores were analyzed by level of training to investigate whether scores positively correlated with more advanced career stages. The median test score was 45.5% among all participants (interquartile range, 36.4%–54.5%). Senior residents scored the highest (median score, 54.5%), followed by attendings (median score, 45.5%), junior residents and fellows (median score in both groups, 36.4%), and medical students (median score, 27.3%).Conclusion:Although surgeons have used electrosurgery for nearly a century, it remains poorly understood by most obstetrician-gynecologists. Senior residents, attendings, junior residents, and medical students all show a general deficiency in electrosurgery comprehension. This study suggests that there is a need for formal electrosurgery training. A standardized electrosurgery curriculum with a workshop component demonstrating clinically useful concepts essential for safe surgical practice is advised.

Assessment of Training Needs of Cashew Farmers in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the training needs of cashew farmers in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Using structured questionnaire, data were collected from eighty (80) randomly selected cashew farmers in five villages of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. The findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 46.5 years. Majority (87.5%) of them attended one form of education or the other and about seventy percent of the respondents had been farming for more than 10 years. The tasks performed by the cashew farmers ranged from land preparation to harvesting and storage of farm produce. The study identified strong training needs for cashew farmers in the study area on water management, transplanting, harvesting and storage and nursery preparation. The correlation analysis showed that farming experience had significant relationship with the respondents' training needs (r=0.489, p=0.05). In order to improve performance and increase productivity, adequate training is required for cashew farmers with respect to the identified areas where they indicated needs for training. Keywords: Assessment, Tasks performed, Training Needs, Cashew Farmers, Owan East

Training needs assessment: where we are and where we should go

The aim of this article is to systematically review Training Needs Assessment (TNA) scientific literature. Based on two research questions (where are we? where should we go?), we hoped to evaluate the current state of scientific production on TNA and to point out some possible developments. The following databases were consulted: Web of Knowledge, Ovid, Proquest, Wiley Online Library, Emerald, PsycNet, CAPES Database and Scielo. Fifty-One articles were analyzed. The results show that: (a) there is little agreement on how to measure training needs; (b) most of the current TNA models and methods are reactive and do not consider contextual factors and multiple levels of analysis in a proactive way; (c) there are gaps in TNA and a need for theoretical definitions; (d) there is little concern with building theories and concepts related to TNA. Based on these findings, we point out that TNA practice and research should: (a) be based exclusively on measurable human competences gaps, in multiple possible levels of analysis; (b) not focus only on individual professional roles, but also on internal and external contextual factors that can be important in the future; (c) discuss and criticize in depth what work needs, training needs and training needs assessment mean; (d) elaborate and test TNA theories, concepts, models and methods.

Training needs assessment in a hotel using 360 degree feedback to develop competency-based training programs

Training in small and medium-size hotels is frequently unsystematic and fails to achieve the desired results, and analyzing training needs is the first step in devising an effective training program. This study devises a competency-based training framework incorporating Training Needs Assessment (TNA). A case study and importance–performance analysis are adopted to identify competency gaps. Based on the managerial competency framework, the importance of competency is determined using the Fuzzy Delphi, and the performance is estimated via 360 degree feedback. The effectiveness of TNA is confirmed, and the TNA framework can be applied to other hotels to optimize training programs.

Assessing management training needs: a study in the Punjab health services, Pakistan.

Pakistan's public sector is organized in a federal system with many management and planning functions devolved to the 4 provincial governments. Provincial health secretariats lead on most policy and planning decisions for health services. The provinces employ health personnel, although the national Public Service Commission controls some key aspects of human resources management. Reporting the findings of a training needs assessment (TNA) for health personnel in the provincial health services of Punjab, the authors show how TNA can be used systematically to improve the quality of health professional training. They also discuss the extent to which better training could contribute to improved health management capacity in Pakistan, and describe the context and problems of Pakistan's health services, focusing upon management capacity, and the methods and results of a training needs assessment conducted to address the problems. A final section covers the usefulness of the TNA method in Pakistan and its applicability to other countries. Moreover, the implications of decentralization and the problems of preparing training plans in the absence of decentralized structures are discussed.

Needs assessment for simulation training in neuroendoscopy: a Canadian national survey

In recent years, dramatic changes in surgical education have increased interest in simulation-based training for complex surgical skills. This is particularly true for endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), given the potential for serious intraoperative errors arising from surgical inexperience. However, prior to simulator development, a thorough assessment of training needs is essential to ensure development of educationally relevant platforms. The purpose of this study was to conduct a national needs assessment addressing specific goals of instruction, to guide development of simulation platforms, training curricula, and assessment metrics for ETV. Canadian neurosurgeons performing ETV were invited to participate in a structured online questionnaire regarding the procedural steps for ETV, the frequency and significance of intraoperative errors committed while learning the technique, and simulation training modules of greatest potential educational benefit. Descriptive data analysis was completed for both quantitative and qualitative responses. Thirty-two (55.2%) of 58 surgeons completed the survey. All believed that virtual reality simulation training for ETV would be a valuable addition to clinical training. Selection of ventriculostomy site, navigation within the ventricles, and performance of the ventriculostomy ranked as the most important steps to simulate. Technically inadequate ventriculostomy and inappropriate fenestration site selection were ranked as the most frequent/significant errors. A standard ETV module was thought to be most beneficial for resident training. To inform the development of a simulation-based training program for ETV, the authors have conducted a national needs assessment. The results provide valuable insight to inform key design elements necessary to construct an educationally relevant device and educational program.

Answering the journalistic six on the training needs assessment of pharmaceutical sales representatives

PurposeThis paper aims to offer a schema for carrying out a comprehensive training needs assessment (TNA) of medical representatives. The schema answers commonly posed questions, the journalistic six.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 292 medical representatives (trainees) and 60 training/sales managers (trainers) from 32 pharmaceutical organizations of Pakistan was surveyed. The study attempted to answer the why, what, when, and where aspects of TNA by using correlation and two independent samples t‐test. Who‐ and how‐related aspects were analyzed using descriptive statistics.FindingsThe results reveal that the perspectives of trainers and trainees are fully and partially consistent with each other on competency‐based TNA (why), and TNA inputs and TNA products/outcomes (what) respectively. However, a significant difference is found befallen TNA time‐line (when) and TNA situate (where). The results related to TNA decision makers (who), and TNA mechanisms (how) reveal a range of options.Research limitations/implicationsReliance on data elicited with one shot can border the issue of generalization. Therefore, to compensate this, the study design is explained in fair detail.Practical implicationsThe study identifies the gap between the existing literature on the journalistic six on TNA and the perceptions of the study participants on prevailing practices. To fill this gap, the study offers a framework to the pharmaceutical organizations for conducting a comprehensive TNA of their medical representatives.Originality/valueThe proposed schema reveals a set of six coherent areas to be considered for conducting a comprehensive TNA.

The growing concept and uses of training needs assessment

PurposeThis paper aims to review the relevant literature on training needs assessment (TNA) with an objective to provide users/beneficiaries of TNA with the understanding of its growing concept, multiple uses (outcomes), and valuing these uses (antecedents).Design/methodology/approachTo conduct the literature review on uses of TNA, the authors used the systematic search comprising four stages: selection of appropriate search terms such as training, needs assessment, needs analysis, training needs assessment, and training needs analysis; carrying out search in established databases such as EBSCOhost, Emerald, JSTOR, SpringerLink, and Wiley‐Blackwell; initial sample filtering (relevance‐based); and further sample filtering (access‐based). Based on this review, a conceptual framework for examining the forward and backward linkages between TNA and nine human resource management and development areas is proposed for further examination.FindingsThis paper highlights training plans, goal setting, employee development, managing change, career development, knowledge, skills, and attitude, learning motivation, cost effectiveness, and performance appraisal as nine major human resource management and development areas revealing different uses of TNA. This gives an appropriate place to the expanding view of TNA.Practical implicationsThis paper offers important implications for human resource professionals. Their learning about multiple uses of TNA can help them attain comprehensive solutions of varied organisational problems.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to make a significant contribution towards understanding the growing concept of TNA by expanding the long‐established way of looking at it through increasing its potential effects and subsequently enhancing its purposes and uses for both training and non‐training initiatives.

Developing a Competence-Based Addiction Medicine Curriculum in Indonesia: The Training Needs Assessment

ABSTRACT Indonesia has one of the fastest growing, injecting drugs user–driven, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in Asia. Coverage of needle and syringe programs (NSPs), opioid substitution therapy (OST), and antiretroviral treatment (ART) is increasing, but is still low, whereas professional training in addiction medicine is not yet established. Urgent development and scaling-up of professional capacity in comprehensive, evidence-based addiction medicine is needed. In this article the results of the first step is presented, being the training needs assessment (TNA) and the process of further developing a national evidence- and competence-based addiction medicine curriculum in Indonesia.

Developing a competence-based addiction medicine curriculum in Indonesia: “work in progress”

Indonesia has one of the fastest growing, former or currently Injecting Drugs User (IDU)-driven, HIV epidemics in Asia. Coverage of needle syringe programs (NSP), opioid substitution therapy (OST) and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) is increasing, but still low, while professional training in addiction medicine is not yet established. Urgent development and scaling-up of professional capacity in comprehensive, evidence-based addiction medicine is needed. In this article the results of the first steps in the development of a national addiction medicine curriculum are presented: taking the an initiative to collaborate with the organizers of the Dutch Master course in Addiction Medicine, development of a training need assessment (TNA) and the first draft of training modules.

Farmers training programme of Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research: An appraisal

A large number of high yielding crop varieties, management practices, and other technologies have been generated by Holetta, Debre Zeit and Melkassa Research Centres. While the core functions of Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) are technology supply; popularization; national coordination and capacity building and policy development; the research and extension division of EIAR is responsible for catalyzing scaling up and scaling out technologies. Training of farmers, deve-lopment agents, and other extension staff has been an important component of this task. This study was undertaken to appraise the status of EIAR’s farmers training approach. One wereda was purposely selected in the localities where each one of the three research centres has operated over the last seve-ral years. Equal numbers of respondents were selected and qualitative and quantitative data were col-lected from each centre. Primary and secondary data were also gathered using structured and informal interviews and analyzed. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and chi-square test. The result of study shows that the most important problems identified in the training process were absence of training need assessment, shortage of training time, and too much theory during training and limited use of indigenous knowledge. Therefore, it is recom-mended that, during training process all the three research centres should include training need asses-sment which is the first steps in designing a training and development program. Key words: Onion, durum wheat, potato, extension package, training, farmers, research centre.

Assessment of construction workforce skills needs in Egypt

The shortage of skilled construction workers has a negative impact on contractors and owners due to delays in time schedule and rework of tasks. In the prequalification process, owners should assess contractors according to their overall company training programme and the investments they made in training as one of the evaluation criteria. Investing in capacity building and training of construction workforce would solve workforce skill crises. This research work attempts to address workforce skill-related problems in construction. It reviews Training Needs Assessment (TNA), considered the key issue in contributing to the success of the training programmes. The results of a survey that was conducted to identify the training needs in an Egyptian construction workforce are presented.

Community Health Centers and Emergency Preparedness: An Assessment of Competencies and Training Needs

Community health centers (CHCs) provide care to a large number of medically underserved Americans. As primary care providers and trusted members of their communities, CHCs need to be prepared to respond to emergency and disaster situations, as they may be relied upon for medical care and other support services. Focus groups were conducted with CHC medical directors and administrators from New York City. Participants discussed previous emergency preparedness training, future training needs, applicability of competencies, and usefulness of two training programs. Participants indicated that they had more experience with preparedness training than many of their colleagues, although participants still reported further training needs. In particular, emergency roles and responsibilities, decontamination and containment, and personal preparedness were given as needed training topics for staff. The training resources were reported to be useful and beneficial. Participants also reported that most of the competencies were appropriate for CHC clinicians. During an emergency, people want to receive care from their normal provider, and for many, that provider is a CHC. This and other research suggests that the emergency preparedness needs facing CHCs are significant and should be addressed.

The mediating role of training utility in the relationship between training needs assessment and organizational effectiveness

In a survey among respondents from 96 organizations, we found that the utility of training partially mediated the relationship between Training Needs Assessment (TNA) comprehensiveness and the effectiveness of the organization. We did not find an effect of training quantity on training utility and organization effectiveness. Both TNA comprehensiveness and training quantity were found to be unrelated to organizational size. The results support the importance of conducting TNA in practice.

Translating and validating a Training Needs Assessment tool into Greek

BackgroundThe translation and cultural adaptation of widely accepted, psychometrically tested tools is regarded as an essential component of effective human resource management in the primary care arena. The Training Needs Assessment (TNA) is a widely used, valid instrument, designed to measure professional development needs of health care professionals, especially in primary health care. This study aims to describe the translation, adaptation and validation of the TNA questionnaire into Greek language and discuss possibilities of its use in primary care settings.MethodsA modified version of the English self-administered questionnaire consisting of 30 items was used. Internationally recommended methodology, mandating forward translation, backward translation, reconciliation and pretesting steps, was followed. Tool validation included assessing item internal consistency, using the alpha coefficient of Cronbach. Reproducibility (test – retest reliability) was measured by the kappa correlation coefficient. Criterion validity was calculated for selected parts of the questionnaire by correlating respondents' research experience with relevant research item scores. An exploratory factor analysis highlighted how the items group together, using a Varimax (oblique) rotation and subsequent Cronbach's alpha assessment.ResultsThe psychometric properties of the Greek version of the TNA questionnaire for nursing staff employed in primary care were good. Internal consistency of the instrument was very good, Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.985 (p < 0.001) and Kappa coefficient for reproducibility was found to be 0.928 (p < 0.0001). Significant positive correlations were found between respondents' current performance levels on each of the research items and amount of research involvement, indicating good criterion validity in the areas tested. Factor analysis revealed seven factors with eigenvalues of > 1.0, KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) measure of sampling adequacy = 0.680 and Bartlett's test of sphericity, p < 0.001.ConclusionThe translated and adapted Greek version is comparable with the original English instrument in terms of validity and reliability and it is suitable to assess professional development needs of nursing staff in Greek primary care settings.

Needs assessment of income generation training for youths among leprosy families in a leprosy village in Myanmar

After Myanmar eliminated leprosy in 2003, the prevention of disability (POD), as well as prevention of worsening disabilities (POWD) and rehabilitation became a new agenda, which is one of three national strategies of leprosy control beyond 2005. Since the training needs for income generation for youths living in leprosy villages were not well known, a small-scale survey was conducted in May 2005. This study found that the youths in Mayanchaung village, Yangon Division, were eager to receive training on income generation. After training they wanted to practice and improve their skills with the resources available, because they perceived that a short training course would not enable them to get a proper job. Although they were fully aware of income generation skills, they found it difficult to adequately consider issues such as resources for practicing skills after training, social marketing, and seeking job opportunities. They also felt that mediators could be helpful between villagers and external customers / retailers. On the other hand, the elders, most of whom had disabilities, wanted the youths to stay in the village to take care of them. A basic sewing and stitching training course that was planned to match the study results was produced in January 2006. After 11 months it was observed that a newly opened sewing workshop was busy operating 12 sewing machines because of a big order of making primary school uniforms. How effective the needs assessment was still unknown, but it was found that prior need assessment activities followed by a training course upon the real needs might promote the proper processes of social rehabilitation of youths in a leprosy village of Myanmar.

Insights into the port training of the new European Union member states 1

The establishment and implementation of a training programme requires a training needs assessment (TNA). Without this approach, more often than not, training programmes have failed to succeed and to make such an assessment the instructional designer, i.e. the person in charge for this work, needs to follow a methodology. Unlike the other industries, the port industry has neglected the use of these methodologies, which is shown by the lack of research work published in academic journals. With a view to fill the existing gap, the paper proposes a five-step TNA methodology to be used in the port industry and applies its first three steps to investigate the port training situation in the new European Union member states. To achieve this objective, the paper is structured in the following way: Section 1 puts the research work into context; section 2 addresses the role of ports; section 3. presents a port TNA methodology; section 4. explains research methodology; section 5 addresses port training issues in the new European-member states; and section 6 presents conclusions and further comments.

Needs Assessment of Spanish Language Training for Psychologists and Other Professionals in a University Community

Needs Assessment of Spanish Language Training for Psychologists and Other Professionals in a University Community