Improving Engagement Level and Staff-Resident Interaction in a New Therapeutic Day Unit

Abstract

Previous research studies have found evidence of the importance of providing feedback and training to direct care staff. Changes in attitude, support and maximum involvement at all leveis of staff are necessary if activity levels of engagement are to be successfully increased. The ways in which staff encourage residents to participate and give them attention for doing so can influence the things that residents do. This study is an observational research Intended to provide some baseline and 5-month follow-up data on levels of engagement and staff-resident interaction as part of a longer-term programme to develop a high-quality service in a new therapeutic day unit. Baseline and follow-up data were collected by direct observations of the staff-resident interaction and the engagement levels of 14 people with teaming difficulties during seven different activity sessions. The results showed that residents Increased their engagement level Horn 37.5% to 43.2% and staff-resident interaction increased from 36.8% to 64.5% after 5-month follow-up. The implications of these data, the importance of attitude change and the positive effects of staff involvement and participation in organising the day unit are discussed.