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Knowing Versus Doing Education and Training Needs of Staff in a Chronic Care Hospital Unit for Individuals With Dementia
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Knowing Versus Doing Education and Training Needs of Staff in a Chronic Care Hospital Unit for Individuals With Dementia

Katherine A. Marx, Ian H. Stanley, Kimberly Van Haitsma, Jennifer Moody, Dana Alonzi, Bryan R. Hansen and Laura N. Gitlin
Journal of gerontological nursing, v 40(12), pp 26-34
01 Dec 2014
PMID: 25250561

Abstract

Geriatrics & Gerontology Gerontology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Nursing Science & Technology
Hospital clinical staff routinely confront challenging behaviors in patients with dementia with limited training in prevention and management. The authors of the current article conducted a survey of staff on a chronic care hospital unit concerning knowledge about dementia, perceived educational needs, and the care environment. The overall mean score for a 27-item knowledge scale was 24.08 (SD = 2.61), reflecting high level of disease knowledge. However, staff indicated a need for more information and skills, specifically for managing behaviors nonpharmacologically (92.3%), enhancing patient safety (89.7%), coping with care challenges (84.2%), and involving patients in activities (81.6%). Although most staff (i.e., nurses [80%] and therapists [86.4%]) believed their care contributed a great deal to patient well-being, approximately 75% reported frustration and being overwhelmed by dementia care. Most reported being hit, bitten, or physically hurt by patients (66.7%), as well as disrespected by families (53.8%). Findings suggest that staff have foundational knowledge but lack the "how-to" or hands-on skills necessary to implement nonpharmacological behavioral management approaches and communicate with families.

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40 citations in Scopus

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Web of Science research areas
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gerontology
Nursing
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