Preliminary evidence for the impact of digital life stories about aged care residents on staff knowledge and understanding regarding those residents; A single arm trial.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of digital stories about aged care residents on staff knowledge and understanding regarding those residents.
Background: More than a quarter of a million older Australians live in residential aged care facilities. This living arrangement can inhibit the expression of a person's sense of identity. Without objects and cues that reflect the person's selfhood, it can be difficult for a person to express their uniqueness. Staff may not sufficiently appreciate the resident's individuality and therefore may not be able to customise care for the resident.
Design: This study used a single-arm trial design.
Methods: The study was conducted in four residential aged care facilities. Short digital life stories (3-4 min) of eight residents were constructed by student volunteers over 6 months. Participants (n = 53 care staff) completed a self-report measure of their knowledge and understanding of a resident before and after watching the resident's story. The study adhered to guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) (see Appendix S1).
Results: Pre- and post-test scores of the measure were compared using paired samples t-tests. These scores changed significantly, showing an improvement of knowledge and understanding regarding residents.
Conclusions: Watching digital life stories were associated with improvements in knowledge and understanding by staff, and hence have the potential to foster a greater level of understanding of residents by such staff, and more person-centred care practices within residential aged care facilities.
Relevance to Clinical Practice: Digital stories about aged care residents are quick and efficient methods for improving aged care staff members' knowledge and understanding of the residents under their care. With such understanding, staff may be able to better customise care for residents, thereby validating residents' sense of identity and elevating residents' quality of life.
(© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)