SEATTLE: Health-care aides have limited training, no regulation, ‘worrisome’ levels of burnout and, in cities, are as likely as not to speak English as a second language, a new study suggests.
The study’s authors call for urgent action to optimize the crucial workforce, described as dedicated and hard working. They recommend funding for more on-the-job education and examining the dynamics of multi-ethnic employees serving clients of different backgrounds.
The report found it was ‘offensive’ to raise the issue of the workers ethnic make-up, saying there is no evidence that having English as a second language affects their skill as care-givers…