The Effect of SPECTROM Training on Support Staff Knowledge of Psychotropic Medicine and Attitude Towards Behaviours That Challenge in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities to Help Implement the STOMP Initiative.
B Limbu, S Deb, J Bradshaw and 1 others
PMID 40140997WHAT IT FOUND
Support staff in community homes for adults with intellectual disabilities significantly improved their knowledge of psychotropic medicines after SPECTROM training.
Attitudes towards medication management also improved, but the study did not confirm that this training reduces actual overmedication or changes daily practice.
Key findings
01Staff knowledge of psychotropic medicines increased significantly after training, with median scores rising from 20 to 26 out of a possible 43.
02Overall attitudes towards challenging behaviour improved significantly, but only the domain concerning medication-based management showed a statistically significant change.
03The study was a feasibility trial that did not calculate a sample size beforehand and lacked long-term follow-up to assess if training effects persisted or changed practice.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This was a feasibility study, not a definitive trial, so the results are preliminary. No sample size calculation was performed before the study. Follow-up was only four weeks, so it is unknown if knowledge or attitude changes lasted. The study did not measure if the training changed actual prescribing rates or day-to-day staff practice. Some organisations declined to participate due to lack of capacity, which may introduce selection bias.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and NHS England.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that improved staff knowledge and attitudes lead to reduced overmedication or better patient outcomes. The study did not measure actual prescribing changes or long-term behavioural improvements, and the authors state that a more definitive trial is needed to confirm any impact on overmedication.