The educational needs of nursing staff when working with hospitalised older people

Dahlke, Sherry; Hunter, Kathleen F.; Negrin, Kelly; Kalogirou, Maya R.; Fox, Mary; Wagg, Adrian

doi:10.1111/jocn.14631

Cited by 25 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Learning activity 2 will focus on cognitive impairment (delirium, dementia, and depression), including positive modelling on how to manage anxiety and aggression in older people with these conditions. Previous research identified that student and practicing nurses do not feel equipped to work with older people with dementia [ 28 , 43 , 64 , 65 ]. We estimate participants will take 3 h to complete this activity.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awakening Canadians to ageism: a study protocol

et al. 2021

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Background Making fun of growing older is considered socially acceptable, yet ageist humour reinforces negative stereotypes that growing old is linked with physical and mental deterioration, dependence, and less social value. Such stereotypes and discrimination affect the wellbeing of older people, the largest demographic of Canadians. While ageism extends throughout professions and social institutions, we expect nurses—the largest and most trusted group of healthcare professionals—to provide non-ageist care to older people. Unfortunately, nurses working with older people often embrace ageist beliefs and nursing education programs do not address sufficient anti-ageism content despite gerontological nursing standards and competencies. Methods To raise awareness of ageism in Canada, this quasi-experimental study will be supported by partnerships between older Canadians, advocacy organizations, and academic gerontological experts which will serve as an advisory group. The study, guided by social learning theory, will unfold in two parts. In Phase 1, we will use student nurses as a test case to determine if negative stereotypes and ageist perceptions can be addressed through three innovative e-learning activities. The activities employ gamification, videos, and simulations to: (1) provide accurate general information about older people, (2) model management of responsive behaviours in older people with cognitive impairment, and (3) dispel negative stereotypes about older people as dependent and incontinent. In Phase 2, the test case findings will be shared with the advisory group to develop a range of knowledge mobilization strategies to dispel ageism among healthcare professionals and the public. We will implement key short term strategies. Discussion Findings will generate knowledge on the effectiveness of the e-learning activities in improving student nurses’ perceptions about older people. The e-learning learning activities will help student nurses acquire much-needed gerontological knowledge and skills. The strength of this project is in its plan to engage a wide array of stakeholders who will mobilize the phase I findings and advocate for positive perspectives and accurate knowledge about aging—older Canadians, partner organizations (Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, CanAge, AgeWell), and gerontological experts.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awakening Canadians to ageism: a study protocol

et al. 2021

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“…Sometimes, older patients desire to be model patients and choose not to bother the nursing staff (33), and when these patients suffer multiple illnesses, they may become passive (34). Despite challenges in caring for older cancer patients (10), knowledge about the individual life values of these patients can help with communication (35).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Collaboration and clear communication with patients and family members are also emphasised (9). Caring for hospitalised older patients is complex (10) because of the heterogeneity of the population. Patient self-management in older patients can range from good physical and mental functioning to total dependency on support for daily life activities (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurses’ perceptions of care quality for older patients suffering cancer in acute care settings: A descriptive study

Launonen

Vehviläinen‐Julkunen

Repo

et al. 2020

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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To describe the quality of care for older cancer patients in acute care settings as perceived by the responsible nursing staff. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 90 nursing staff at a university hospital and a city hospital. Quality of care was measured using the Revised Humane Caring Scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, nonparametric tests and linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings: Generally, the nursing staff perceived the quality of care as good; however, university hospital nursing staff perceived the quality of care to be better than city hospital nursing staff. Compared with other age groups, nursing staff in the 30-to 40-year age group more frequently indicated that patients' information and participation need improvement. Moreover, supplemental education in cancer care was found to have no significant impact on the quality of care. Altogether, nursing staff disagreed the most about their perceptions of staffing, sufficient time and an unhurried atmosphere. Conclusion: Nursing staff should focus more on patients' personal needs, particularly with regard to patients' provision of information and participation in care. Younger nurses need more support and mentoring about complex care from their experienced colleagues when performing their work. Leaders should guarantee availability of the adequate number of competent staff in hospital wards.

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“…This paper reports the third phase of a larger project as a subanalysis. In the initial phases Dahlke et al, quantitative and qualitative data were collected and synthesised. Nursing staffs’ level of geriatric knowledge and perceptions about patient‐centred care, interprofessional practice and learning needs related to working with older people were examined.…”

Section: Primary Study and Aims Of The Third Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

The feasibility of implementing education on older person care to practice on medical units: Nurses’ perceptions and the influence of practice context

Hunter

Dahlke

Negrin

et al. 2019

Int J Older People Nursing

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Aim As part of a larger primary study on evidence‐informed practice with hospitalised older people, we aimed to (a) examine nursing staffs’ perceptions of the interactive geriatric educational intervention and to explore how perceptions of their work context may influence their ability to enact the evidence‐informed assessment and care approaches discussed during the educational sessions and (b) compare differences in perceptions of context between RNs, LPNs and HCAs. Method A survey‐based evaluation that used both closed and open‐ended questions was conducted as part of an interactive educational intervention on cognitive impairment and managing responsive behaviours. Data were gathered on participants’ perceptions of the education intervention and organisational context. Results Findings from this study suggest when education is tailored to nurses’ articulated educational needs, it is well received; however, barriers to implementation exist. Assessment of the context by using a standardised survey tool to get the nursing staffs’ perceptions of organisational context revealed strengths in leadership support and day‐to‐day interactions with other nurses and healthcare professionals, but potential barriers related to lack of facilitation to transfer new knowledge into practice existed. Conclusion Providing evidence‐based education related to care of older patients and evaluating nursing staffs’ perceptions of the education and their context has laid the groundwork for a long‐term relationship with the managers and nursing staff on the participating medical units. Further investigation about how best to incorporate the facilitator role into the medical units to support evidence‐based practices with older patients is warranted. Implications for practice While nurses are receptive to new knowledge, the unpredictable workload of acute care creates challenges to implementing this new knowledge. Assessment of contextual factors that influence evidence‐informed practice facilitates planning for implementation of new knowledge and support practice change.

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The educational needs of nursing staff when working with hospitalised older people

Abstract: There was an incongruence between survey and interview data as nursing staff reported gaps in their knowledge despite moderately high scores on the Knowledge about Older People Quiz. Further research is needed to understand additional factors that influence nurses' educational needs.

Cited by 25 publications

References 53 publications

Awakening Canadians to ageism: a study protocol

Awakening Canadians to ageism: a study protocol

Nurses’ perceptions of care quality for older patients suffering cancer in acute care settings: A descriptive study

The feasibility of implementing education on older person care to practice on medical units: Nurses’ perceptions and the influence of practice context

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