HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES TO DEMENTIA STUDY (HEADS): IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION. Drs Catherine Travers & David Lie.

HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES TO DEMENTIA STUDY (HEADS): IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION.

Drs Catherine Travers & David Lie

Background

To improve the care of patients with dementia in the acute hospital setting, it has been recommended that dementia training programs be provided to all hospital staff including non-clinical staff.

The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate a brief dementia education program for non-clinical staff at a large tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia.

Study Phases

1. Literature Review

Consultative Process Conduct of dementia education sessions

Skill 1 Skill 2

Consultative Process

We consulted with managerial staff to gauge the need for & level of interest in brief dementia education sessions,

A survey (paper & online) was distributed to staff to identify:

What topics were of most interest; What day & time would suit most

people;

Dementia Education sessions Total session length = 60 minutes 3 x 1 hour sessions; OR 2 x 30 minute

sessions; A powerpoint presentation by Qld

Dementia Training Study Centre (DTSC) staff;

Handouts; Interactive style; The sessions were widely advertised;

Dementia Education topics

general information about dementia what dementia is and how many people are affected

by dementia common types of dementia and common features of

dementia areas of the brain that are affected in dementia communication issues experienced by people with

dementia practical strategies for communicating with patients

with dementia practical strategies for facilitating mobility and

falls prevention in patients with dementia practical strategies for facilitating memory and

orientation in patients with dementia.

Evaluation

Pre- and post session questionnaire; Self-rated knowledge & confidence; Knowledge questions – 10 questions; Usefulness & relevance of the sessions;

Results

52 people attended 5 dementia education sessions;

Most were female (n=42; 87.5%) Most were aged between 41-60 years (n=19;

39.6%); Most had worked at the hospital for 3-5 years

(n=13; 27.1%); Most were ward receptionists (n=14; 29.2%); 75% had not received any dementia education/training at work;

Results continued

40 participants completed both pre- and post session questionnaires;

Baseline knowledge of dementia was poor;

Dementia knowledge Self-rated dementia knowledge

Results continued

A high level of satisfaction with the sessions;

56% ‘strongly agreed’ the information was useful;

40% ‘strongly agreed’ the information was relevant to their work;

61% ‘strongly agreed’ the sessions were

interesting

Results – 6 week Follow-Up

34 follow-up surveys were distributed; 15 completed & returned; Dementia knowledge was retained over

the 6 week interval; Have you applied anything you learnt in

the dementia education sessions in your workplace in the last 6 weeks?

Examples included: speaking in short sentences;

Discussion

It is feasible to conduct brief dementia education and awareness sessions for non-clinical staff and volunteers in an acute hospital setting;

The program was well-received by participants;

A 60-minute session can improve dementia knowledge & confidence;

Translation of knowledge into practice;

Conclusion

Brief dementia education training programs appear to be effective in improving knowledge about dementia and self-confidence in interacting with patients with dementia.

It is recommended that brief dementia training sessions be provided on a regular, on-going basis, particularly in view of frequent staff changes in the acute hospital environment.

Questions

Thank-you for listening