Dementia nursing competency in acute care settings: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim To critically analyse the concept of dementia nursing competency in acute care settings. Backgrounds The nursing care needs of patients with dementia are increasing in acute care settings. However, a framework for the dementia nursing competency has not been explicitly outlined. Design Rodgers' evolutionary method for concept analysis. Data Sources Competenc* AND dementia AND nurs* AND acute OR hospital OR clinical were selected from the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CiNii, and Google Scholar for publication from 2006 to 2017. Review Methods All 29 articles were identified. Data were analysed with a particular focus on the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept. Results Six attributes were identified: respecting patient individuality, applying ethical considerations, providing person‐centred care, possessing responsibility, coordinating external environments, and possessing care coordination and facilitation skills. Identified antecedents included building theoretical and clinical knowledge, developing an awareness of dementia and its risk behaviours, performing assessments of dementia nursing practice, developing relationships with patients with dementia, and applying a team approach. Applying the competency led to positive consequences for patients, nurses, and patient‐nurse and nursing team relationships. Conclusion Developing the dementia nursing competency results in stronger emotional interventions and adds a human‐to‐human connection.

Person-centered dementia care in acute hospital wards—The influence of staff knowledge and attitudes

“…Based on the findings of this study, staff development and dementia care training in acute hospitals should incorporate interpersonal and moral competencies to improve staff attitudes as well technical as well as intellectual competencies to increase awareness about evidence based guidelines for the assessment and management of persons with cognitive impairment and dementia. Similarly, dementia care competency frameworks for nurses 47,48 recommend the importance of developing curricula and training programs with a set of competences that range from the attainment of technical/intellectual and interpersonal and attitudinal skills. This seems to be also important in acute hospitals in order to empower staff to implement person-centered care practices.…”

How about an Educational Framework for Nursing Staff in Long-Term Care Facilities to Improve the Care of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia?

“…Dementia knowledge and understanding, relationships with residents, person-centered care, and an ethical attitude have all been identified as components of general dementia nursing competence [ 7 , 10 ]. Additionally, in acute care settings, respecting patient individuality and possessing self-facilitation skills have been identified as competence components [ 11 , 12 ]. In LTCFs, promoting an environment that supports independence in daily living and recognizing, preventing, and managing BPSD have been reported as required competencies for dementia care [ 13 ].…”

Leadership challenges and strategies to dementia care in Chinese faith‐based nursing homes: A qualitative study

“…Internationally, nursing home staff tend to be middle‐aged or older workers with limited formal education, knowledge and caregiving skills (Franzmann et al, 2016; Kong et al, 2021). The current study and related research indicate that increasing nursing staff's knowledge and skills will improve their understanding of dementia‐related behaviours and enhance the care effectiveness and the likelihood of meeting residents' needs (Yamaguchi et al, 2019). Additionally, the existing literature and directors in this study demonstrate that collaborating with nursing staff and bolstering their feelings of achievement by rewarding performance will enhance motivation and empowerment and increase job satisfaction (Dawson et al, 2014; Jeong & Keatinge, 2004; Tourangeau et al, 2010).…”