Establishing the effectiveness of technology-enabled dementia education for health and social care practitioners: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Dementia prevalence is increasing globally and yet evidence suggest that gaps exist in dementia-specific knowledge among health and social care practitioners. Technological modes of educational delivery may be as effective as traditional education and can provide practitioners with increased accessibility to dementia training. Benefits of digitally based dementia education have been established including pedagogical strategies that influence dementia knowledge and care attitudes. This review aimed to appraise and synthesise contemporary experimental evidence that evaluated technology-enabled dementia education for health and social care practitioners. Outcomes based on Kirkpatrick’s Model were learner satisfaction; knowledge, skills, and attitudes; behaviours; and results. Methods MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science were among 8 bibliographic databases searched from January 2005 until February 2020. Keywords included dementia and education (and terms for technological modes of education, learning, or training). We included experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument established the overall quality of included studies and pragmatic application of Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool established individual study quality and highlighted methodological features of educational research. Narrative synthesis was conducted as heterogeneous outcome data precluded meta-analysis. Results We identified 21 relevant studies: 16 evaluated online dementia education and 5 evaluated computer-based approaches. Most studies used before-after designs and study quality was moderate overall. Most studies reported knowledge-based outcomes with statistically significant findings favouring the training interventions. Positive effects were also observed in studies measuring skills and attitudinal change. Fewer studies reported significant findings for behavioural change and results due to training. Case-based instruction was a frequently described instructional strategy in online dementia education and videos were common information delivery modes. CD-ROM training and simulation activities were described in computer-based dementia education. Discussion Future emphasis must be placed on teaching and learning methods within technology-enabled dementia education which should be role relevant and incorporate active and interactive learning strategies. Future evaluations will require contextually relevant research methodologies with capacity to address challenges presented by these complex educational programmes and multi-component characteristics. Systematic review registration This systematic review is based on a protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018115378).

2023 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…Major advances in technology should also be leveraged to optimize the time and effectiveness of the dementia care workforce. As one example, e‐learning programs can greatly increase access to dementia care training, although evidence suggests that the effectiveness of such programs relies on the relevance of the content and the inclusion of interactive learning strategies 710 …”

“…As one example, e-learning programs can greatly increase access to dementia care training, although evidence suggests that the effectiveness of such programs relies on the relevance of the content and the inclusion of interactive learning strategies. 710 Technology can also help improve access to care for people living with dementia, especially for those in rural areas and those with mobility challenges. 711 A randomized clinical trial of more than 1,500 individuals across urban and rural areas in three states who participated in a telephone-and internet-based dementia care delivery system found that the system resulted in better quality of life, reduced emergency department visits, and decreased caregiver depression and burden.…”

A web-based information intervention for family caregivers of patients with Dementia: A randomized controlled trial

“…Evidence of attitude changes after technology-based training was not very convincing. However, improved knowledge can also influence practitioner attitudes [38].…”

Challenges and Opportunities for Education Systems with the Current Movement toward Digitalization at the Time of COVID-19

“…The application of different AI-based methods and digitalization plans have been considered for the automation of work processes and upholding of social distancing [2,30,32,40,48,106,107]. It will be necessary to focus on the application of AI methods for career planning and consulting with students and fostering their decisionmaking.…”

“…The departments can establish different short-term skillbased programs and long-term educational courses in novel fields such as digital psychology, motivational courses for remote employees, and digital management, to name a few [1,2,11,20,22,40,56,104,105]. In particular, in some fields such as medical education new competencies will be expected from the graduates [30,32,48,106,107].…”