Lessons from a Dementia Awareness Training Pilot and the implications for future training provision

Background: Global figures for dementia are rising, ensuring there are skilled health professionals to provide quality care for people with dementia is therefore essential. Objectives: The findings will be presented from a pilot dementia awareness training programme delivered to multi-disciplinary health professionals, which focused on person-centred care. The training focused on the development of dementia champions and improving care practices for people with dementia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with training providers and stakeholders (n=7). Health professionals attending the training completed feedback questionnaires (n=74). SPSS was used to undertake analysis on the responses from the feedback questionnaire and thematic analysis was undertaken on open ended questions and interview data. Results: Issues of health professional’s availability to attend training, particularly district and community nurses, and heavy work schedules limited the numbers attending training sessions. The person centred focus of the training was considered important by both stakeholders and health professionals. The training was enhanced by attendance of multi-disciplinary health professionals, leading to extended discussion and promoted a broader understanding of dementia care across professions. Conclusions: Further training in dementia care is required at all staff levels within the health care sector. This evaluation identified gaps in current training provision and recognized the need to develop knowledge in key areas of dementia care, including the person centred approach and developing management strategies for care. A vital element of the training was the inclusion of the voice of the person with dementia and their carer. Careful consideration must be made to the design and delivery methods employed for future training to ensure it meets the needs of the employer organisations and availability of health professionals to attend. Implications for nursing practice: Lessons learnt from this pilot highlight the importance of access to relevant dementia training and ensuring nursing staff are released to attend training. In addition, the way training sessions are marketed to nursing staff and made relevant to their jobs is influential to the success of the training. Person centred care forms the basis of knowledge nursing staff and employers require and developing a broader understanding of dementia care through joint work other health professionals leads to an improved knowledge of dementia and best practice in dementia care.