Dementia ECHO: Evaluation of a telementoring programme to increase dementia knowledge and skills in First Nations-led health services

Abstract

Introduction High rates of dementia among Australian First Nations’ peoples have resulted in an increased demand for dementia knowledge and skills among the primary health care professionals in these communities. The Dementia Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program aims to be a culturally safe way of increasing local health workforce capacity by facilitating dementia knowledge, skills and confidence among primary care professionals in First Nations community settings. Dementia ECHO is based on the international evidence-based telementoring programme, Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes. Every Dementia ECHO session is delivered by videoconference and comprises a specialist-led presentation and a case discussion from a primary care health service participant. The aims of this study were to assess the uptake and reach of Dementia ECHO; examine the perceived importance of dementia care and dementia education among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service staff; and evaluate the potential impact of Dementia ECHO on health service staff pertaining to dementia knowledge, confidence to provide dementia care and professional isolation. Method Dementia ECHO service activity data maintained by the programme providers was reviewed to determine uptake and reach. A pre-implementation survey examined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service staff perspectives on the importance of dementia education and the priority of a range of health issues. After each Dementia ECHO session, a brief online survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data regarding the potential impact of the session. Results Of 30 completed pre-implementation surveys, all staff rated dementia education as either very important or important. Salient themes highlighting why it is important are presented. When asked to rank six different health priorities, dementia ( n = 10) and chronic disease ( n = 10) were placed as the top priority. The brief post-session feedback provided 44 complete survey responses demonstrating: perceived improvement in dementia knowledge and skills (88.4%); increased confidence to provide dementia care (83%); and a reduction in professional isolation (88%). Conclusion Dementia ECHO addresses a gap in dementia education that is much needed in health professionals with increasing numbers of First Nations people living with dementia. This current study shows that attending an evidence-based telementoring programme, such as Dementia ECHO, can increase dementia knowledge and confidence to care for someone living with dementia and their families.

Prática do enfermeiro na atenção primária à saúde aos cuidados de pacientes com demência

“…A capacitação em demência é importante para o aperfeiçoamento das competências no cuidado dos idosos e na aquisição de novos conhecimentos e novas informações. Estudos internacionais mostram que realizar capacitação em demência proporciona aos profissionais maior conhecimento sobre o assunto, com a�tude posi�va e resultado no cuidado frente a estes pacientes (Haydon et al, 2022). A falta de capacitação é considerada uma causa das dificuldades encontradas no manejo levando os idosos nesta fase mais grave da demência aos cuidados palia�vos (Santos et al, 2016).…”

Barriers and enablers of dementia training in healthcare workers in rural and remote Australia: A scoping review to inform future approaches to training

“…A number of specific issues predispose rural and remote areas to greater impacts of dementia, namely rapid population ageing associated with outmigration of younger adults, growing preferences for affected adults to remain in familiar homes and communities, higher rates of dementia risk factors, and limited access to diagnostic and treatment services 4 . In addition, the prevalence of dementia is three to five times higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (henceforth, respectfully referred to as ‘Indigenous Australians’) compared to the general Australian population 5–9 . With 61% of Indigenous Australians living in regional, rural and remote areas, and life expectancy increasing, the burden of dementia among this population will continue to grow 10 .…”

“…4 In addition, the prevalence of dementia is three to five times higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (henceforth, respectfully referred to as 'Indigenous Australians') compared to the general Australian population. [5][6][7][8][9] With 61% of Indigenous Australians living in regional, rural and remote areas, and life expectancy increasing, the burden of dementia among this population will continue to grow. 10 Indigenous Australians already experience disproportionately poorer health outcomes compared to other Australians, and are impacted by enduring effects of colonisation, systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and social disadvantage.…”