Abstract

Study rational and purpose: Web-based education has been proven effective in enhancing knowledge and confidence of health professionals in addressing mental health conditions. However, no web-based training, specific to geriatric depression, exists to date in Canada for educating future health and allied health professionals. The goal of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a web-based learning module, Depression Assessment Training in Elderly (DATE), to enhance knowledge and confidence in screening for geriatric depression among social work, psychiatric nursing, and nursing students in an undergraduate Canadian university. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study utilized a set of quantitative surveys of undergraduate students in three different health and mental health disciplines in Canada. Findings: Findings suggest that the DATE module significantly improves confidence of all students in recognizing geriatric depression. Also, it increases clinical knowledge of geriatric depression in social work and psychiatric nursing students. Practical implications: The DATE module is now available for Canadian and international community of clinicians. Further research is needed to test the DATE in a larger sample of Canadian students of social work, psychiatric nursing, and nursing as well as among practicing clinicians. What is original/value of paper: The DATE is the first web-based learning module in Canada that contains clinical simulation case studies on the screening of geriatric depression.