Sensory modulation training workshops
Many New Zealand district health boards (DHBs) are using sensory modulation in acute or other clinical areas, while others have expressed an interest in introducing sensory modulation. Te Pou has been supporting interested DHBs to safely and effectively implement sensory modulation through the delivery of two types of workshops.
Five DHBs have received the familiarisation workshop, and one train the trainer workshop has been delivered to new facilitators from 10 DHBs. All workshops were evaluated by participants. The evaluations show that participants consider the workshops to be effective and a useful, standardised way to ensure DHBs have robust support in implementing sensory modulation in practice. The evaluations also provided useful feedback which will be incorporated into the planning and delivery of both types of workshop in the future.
Familiarisation workshops
Familiarisation workshops are for DHBs which have had little or no exposure to sensory modulation. They are designed to assist the DHBs to get a core group of people trained in the principles of sensory modulation and help workshop attendees implement and evaluate sensory modulation.
Familiarisation workshops include:
- how sensory modulation assists with relationship building with service users
- links to Lets get real
- a 'hands-on' approach to understanding and using the tools and sensory modulation rooms in clinical settings
- undertaking personal safety assessments with service users (and how these fit into current clinical assessments)
- determining how to intervene with people presenting with different needs
- writing guidelines and policies for sensory modulation
- guidance to implement sensory modulation
- guidance in evaluating the effectiveness of sensory modulation.
The familiarisation workshops were trialled and evaluated in 2010. A roll-out plan was developed in conjunction with the National Directors of Mental Health Nursing.
Train the Trainer workshops
Train the Trainer workshops are designed to train clinicians to become familiarisation workshop trainers within their own DHBs. Clinicians will be nominated by their DHB and:
- be experienced in the clinical delivery of sensory modulation
- work within DHBs that already deliver sensory modulation.
Train the Trainer workshops consist of two days of training in the following areas.
- Involving service users in workshop facilitation.
- Understanding the place of sensory modulation within national practice and service delivery initiatives.
- Examination of the online and face-to-face components of the familiarisation workshop (while new trainers will be experienced in the delivery of sensory modulation many may not have seen this workshop).
- Undertaking analysis of own DHBs needs, and adapting the workshop to meet these.
- Setting up the workshop within their own DHBs.
- Discussing commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and how to include this in workshops.
- Discussing the relationship between tikanga Māori and sensory modulation and including this in workshop delivery.
- Involving Te Pou in workshop deliveries.
- Embedding trauma-informed care and Let’s get real into the workshop.
- Understanding national and international research evidence and practice initiatives.
- Understanding principles of adult education and applying these to the workshop delivery.
- Conflict management and applying this to the workshop.
- Undertaking evaluation of effectiveness of their own workshop delivery.
- Principles of implementation and phases of change management to embed sensory modulation.
- Understanding practice evaluation processes and possibilities.
- Creating a network of sensory modulation practice.
- Understanding the direction of future sustainability of training.
A second Train the Trainer workshop is planned for May 2012.
