This research study will evaluate the CARES Dementia-Friendly Hospitals online training and certification program for Allied Health Workers (nursing assistants, dietary aides, housekeeping employees, hospital transporters, lab/x-ray techs, and unit secretaries) who work in a hospital or medical center.

Participants who sign up for this study will complete two 1-hour assessments (on day 1 and day 45). Participants will be randomly assigned into either an "immediate group" (where Participants complete the online training as part of the research study) or a "control group" (where Participants receive access to the online training at the end of the study). The online training and certification will take Participants approximately 6 hours to complete.

To participate, Participants must be an allied health worker working at a hospital or medical center, have access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with Internet access, be comfortable reading and speaking in English, and age 21 or older.

Deadline to begin the study: January 31, 2020

This randomized control trial (RCT) will evaluate the CARES Dementia-Friendly Hospitals online training and certification program. The study will allow up to 400 Allied Health Workers (nursing assistants, dietary aides, housekeeping employees, hospital transporters, lab/x-ray techs, and unit secretaries) to enroll as research participants from a minimum of 12 hospitals in three different states.

RESEARCH STUDY IMMEDIATE AND CONTROL GROUP STUDY REQUIREMENTS

Participants will be randomly assigned into the immediate training group a the control group.

Immediate training group participants will complete a consent form, an intake evaluation, and have one month to complete the training. At day 45, they will complete an a follow-up evaluation (identical to the intake evaluation).

Control group participants will complete a consent form and an intake evaluation. At day 45, they will complete an a follow-up evaluation (identical to the intake evaluation). Once the study is completed, each Control participant will be giving full access to the CARES Dementia-Friendly Hospitals online training program (at no cost).

MEASURES INCLUDED IN THE PRE- AND POST-EVALUATIONS

The pre- and post-evaluations include assessments on knowledge, attitude, sense of competency, burnout, job satisfaction, and job productivity, all measured with reliable and valid published scales.

TIME TO COMPLETE THE STUDY:

The study will take immediate participants approximately 8 hours to complete. The study will take control participants approximately 2 hours to complete (each will be given voluntary access to the 6-hour program at the end of the study, although this is not a study requirement).

POTENTIAL RISKS:

There are no anticipated associated risks to participants if they sign up for this study. This is an educational program focusing on dementia-friendly hospital strategies.

COSTS:

There is no cost to participate in this study.

INCLUSION REQUIREMENTS:

Participants must be an allied health worker currently working in a hospital or medical center to participate in this study.

Participants must have access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with access to the Internet.

Participants must be comfortable reading and speaking in English.

Participants must be age 21 or older.

ENROLLMENT DEADLINE:

January 31, 2020.

THANK YOU:

Thank you for the interest in this research study. Participation is encouraged from urban, suburban, mid-sized, and rural hospital and medical center staff members.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participant is an allied health worker currently working in a hospital or medical center to participate in this study.
2. Participant has access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with access to the Internet.
3. Participant is comfortable reading and speaking in English.
4. Participant is age 21 or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participant is not an allied health worker currently working in a hospital or medical center to participate in this study.
2. Participant does not have access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with access to the Internet.
3. Participant is not comfortable reading and speaking in English.
4. Participant is not age 21 or older.