Evaluation of the program, risk reduction through health education, and the course, Principles of education

Changes in knowledge and behavioral intent of 76 health care providers participating in the Risk Reduction through Health Education program and the Principles of Education course were evaluated. Robertson's Knowledge Test, Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz,and the Behavioral Intent Tool were used. Participants were primarily college educated, licensed nursing personnel and non-nursing management personnel. Robertson's Knowledge Test showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge between pretest and posttest (E=.001); most frequent misconceptions were that a majority of older people have income below poverty level, over 15% of the population are 65 or older, and the majority of older people are frequently irritated or angry. Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge between pretest and posttest 2 (E=.016); however, knowledge changes were not statistically significant for comparison of pretest and ~----est1 ; no change in behavioral intent was found for health care providers.