Evaluation and Effectiveness of a Two-Day Dementia Training Program for Hospital Staff Working in an Emergency Department

Abstract

Background: Entering the hospital via an emergency department (ED) is a pivotal moment in the life of people with dementia (PwD) and often starts an avoidable downward spiral. Therefore, it is required to further educate ED staff to raise awareness of the needs of PwD. Although there are many studies about existing dementia training programs for the hospital setting, empirical evidence for the ED setting and cross-level training evaluations are lacking. Objective: The study aims to evaluate a two-day dementia training course for ED staff on the outcome levels of learning, individual performance, and organizational performance. Furthermore, the study examines whether the training fulfilled participants’ expectations. Methods: Mixed methods were used to assess data from head nurses, nursing, and administrative staff working in EDs. We conducted semi-structured interviews three weeks before (N = 18) and eight months after (N = 9) the training. Questionnaire data were assessed before the training, three months, and six months after the training (N = 44). A qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyze qualitative data; quantitative data was described descriptively. Results: The intervention seems to be effective on both learning and individual performance levels. However, we did not observe any changes in the organizational performance. The training program met attendees’ expectations only partly. The working environment of EDs needs to be taken more into account. Conclusion: Hospital staffs’ expectations of a dementia training program depend on the work area in which they operate. Results support the implementation of intervention bundles to enable sustainable cross-level changes.

Dementia Knowledge, Attitude toward Dementia, and Confidence in Dementia Care: Impact of a Dementia Training on German Nursing Students

“…Accompanying qualitative interviews can provide profitable details on nursing students’ wishes and ideas regarding training needs and knowledge gaps that cannot be measured by quantitative questionnaires. According to the study by Schneider et al (2020), nursing staff desires experienced individuals from the health care sector as trainers for dementia training [ 51 ]. This suggests that nursing students may have more negative attitudes toward the training and less motivation to actively participate due to less practical experience of the trainer and the small age gap.…”

‘A lot of people think it’s just a Mickey Mouse role’: Role ambiguity among dementia support workers within secondary care and community hospital settings

“…Globally, the impact of dementia brings significant social and economic costs ( Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2016 ; WHO, 2021 ), indicating the importance of addressing the growing need and impact of dementia. International evidence highlights the association between positive staff attitudes and better quality of care for PLWD (for example, Schneider et al, 2021 ; Travers et al, 2013 ). Improving access to training, staff support and mentoring for all health and social care staff supporting PLWD will assist in supporting the development of delivering person-centred care, which is crucial in elevating the impact of dementia ( Mustafa, et al, 2013 ).…”

Emergency department care transition barriers: A qualitative study of care partners of older adults with cognitive impairment

“…Our work builds upon existing literature by identifying unique barriers experienced by care partners of PLWCI experiencing ED discharge care transitions. Prior qualitative research has assessed hospital staff training programs addressing PLWD, 39 the role of the care partners in the ED itself, 40 and cognitively intact older adults experiencing ED care transitions. 41 Within the first theme presented, several care partners of PLWCI noted the chaotic and intense ED environment with amplification experienced with existing COVID‐19 visitation policies.…”