Development of a medication management program for developmental support workers

Abstract

Background: Medication errors are a worldwide health care problem, which poses a risk to patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. This risk can be mitigated through effective medication management. At Momentum Developmental Support, developmental support workers (DSWs) provide 24-hour residential care for adults with intellectual disabilities, province wide (Newfoundland). However, DSWs receive minimal training in medication management. Consequently, this could lead to a rise in medication errors, negatively impacting client safety. Purpose: The aim of this practicum project is to develop a medication management program to improve DSWs’ knowledge, confidence, and skills about medication management. Methods: Three key methods were used to develop the medication management resource: 1) an extensive literature review, 2) consultations with managers and DSWs at Momentum, and 3) an environmental scan of available resources. Results: The literature review identified a lack of medication knowledge, confidence, and skills among DSWs, primarily attributed to the absence of hands-on training, which could potentially lead to medication errors. Consultations further confirmed the lack of consistent training and resources for medication management, with a preference for classroom-based learning as the most effective teaching strategy. The environmental scan aligned with these findings, emphasizing the significance of combining theoretical and practical learning in a classroom setting while highlighting the challenges associated with online learning. Conclusion: A half-day medication management workshop was developed to strengthen DSW’s knowledge, confidence, and skills about medication management.