Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue / staff wellness / OSH / retention)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Law HS (1), Lee KF(1), Mok YT (1), Choi YC (1), O HH (1), Yu CS (1), Wong CM (1), Lam WY (1), Lau KY(1), Chan KH(1), Siu HY(1), Lam LF(1), Wan SC (1), Leung YY (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Princess Margaret Hospital.
Introduction :
Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) are crucial in health care settings as it enhances the efficiency of professional staff in treating patients. The Smart Workforce Program for PCA in the Physiotherapy Department of PMH has been conducted annually since 2018. The program aims to enhance the safety and quality work of PCAs by providing a series of training on treatment modality preparation, equipment maintenance, and patient safety. With proper training to them, PT staff can focus on specialized work review and ultimately improving the service efficiency.
Objectives :
The program aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) reinforce proper practice in treatment modality preparation, 2) ensure equipment safety and quality, 3) enhance patients safety awareness , 4) introduce common assessments and new technologies e.g. HAGo and 5) develop the competencies of green PCAs.
Methodology :
The program consisted of weekly practical workshops held from September to November 2023, which were led by physiotherapists and experienced PCAs. QR codes linking to recorded videos and written guides were provided for revision. Individual practical assessments, followed by feedback sessions were conducted. Assessment score with a total mark of 60 was given based on performance. Pre- and post-program surveys were conducted to measure PCAs' confidence levels in their working tasks, using a scale from 1 to 5.
Result & Outcome :
Seven PCAs successfully completed and passed the Smart Workforce Program, achieving an overall mean score of 54.3 out of 60 in the assessment. The surveys assessed PCA’s confidence levels in three areas: 1) treatment modality preparation, 2) patient transfer and safety, and 3) knowledge of common assessments and skills. Before training, mean scores were 3.64, 3.61, and 2.75 out of 5, respectively. After training, scores improved to 3.67, 3.90, and 3.50 out of 5. The results indicated the program's effectiveness in enhancing performance and confidence among PCAs. Most PCAs agreed that the program is useful for their daily practice. They appreciated the recorded videos and written guides.
As more advanced equipment will be utilized in the physiotherapy department to improve patient rehabilitation process, specific training programs will be provided to PCAs.
