CADENZA Training Program

Background Rapidly aging population: health and social care challenges Elders have diverse and complex needs  cross-cut organizational and professional boundaries  requiring a coordinated inter-agency and inter-professional response

CADENZA HKJC Charities Trust : HK$ 380 million for 5 years A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors - to promote innovative elderly services through inter-disciplinary co-operation - to produce a new generation of leaders in gerontology - …………..

CADENZA Comprises 4 components: Public education Training for front-line care workers and professionals who work with elders A community model to promote inter- disciplinary elderly care Evaluation

Cadenza Training Program NSN funded with HK$ 74 million for 5 years as from 2008 An interdisciplinary training program designed to provide general and professional education in gerontology for –General public –Informal caregivers –Professional social and health care workers

Objectives Increase public awareness of the health and social care needs of the aging population. Foster positive attitude towards aging. Equip informal and family caregivers with basic knowledge & skills in aged care. Enhance the professional expertise of social and health care workers in gerontological care.

Format Use of major themes in gerontology to define a continuum of training over the 5 years

Continuum of training Understanding normal aging Promoting healthy & successful aging Managing chronic disease Delivering effective social & health services Building effective rapport with older people Socio-cultural Context of Hong Kong Health-care context of Hong Kong

Teaching & learning modes General public –Monthly roadshows –District-based seminars for the public –Web-site for public education –Educational leaflets and booklets –Yearly carnivals

Teaching and learning modes Informal caregivers –District-based course & workshops. –Supplemented with written & audio-visual learning materials. –District-based self-help groups.

Teaching and learning modes Professional social and health care workers –Self-directed web-based courses –Face-to-face seminars and tutorials –Clinical practicum as appropriate

Human Resources An inter-professional Cadenza training team: - social worker - clinical psychologist - physiotherapist - occupational therapist - nurse + administrative support

Participant Profile For professional courses: Nurses PTs and OTs Doctors Social Workers Medical technologists Secondary school teachers Others eg. lawyers, priests

Evaluation Plan Accessibility of and satisfaction with the program Public’s attitude towards ageing and older people Attitude, knowledge and skills of professionals

Preliminary Insights re IPE Essential elements for establishing IPE programs: Shared interest/ commitment: IPE is the norm rather than the exception Building horizontal bridges: formal and informal structures and opportunities for sharing Administrative support and resources

Preliminary Insights re IPE Essential elements for establishing IPE programs: Training in collaborative skills Teachers qualified to teach IPE courses/ programs Partnership with community Rewards for collaborative endeavours

Last but not least….. Research to evaluate the impact of IPE and its contribution  both the process elements and outcomes