Cultural- and educational-level differences in students knowledge, attitudes, and preferences for working with older adults: an israeli perspective

Cognition and dementia with Raymond and Brain: Curriculum development and evaluation using interactive animated flipped-classroom modules to impact nursing students' attitude toward dementia care

AIM

To design a modular, flipped-classroom curriculum using character animations to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia care among pre-clinical nursing students.

BACKGROUND

Demographic trends suggest an urgent, unmet need for nurses with interest and adequate training in caring for people with dementia and other disorders of cognition. While flipped classrooms using video show promise, little is known about specific animation techniques to impact knowledge and attitudes in preclinical nursing education.

DESIGN

A curriculum was developed, implemented and assessed across three nursing schools in series, totaling 223 eligible students in the states of Connecticut and Hawaii, USA from 2019 to 2022. The evaluation included prospective pre-post assessment of knowledge, attitudes and module acceptability, as well as qualitative interpretations of needs assessment data.

METHODS

The six-step curriculum development process was based on that described by Kern et al., including: 1) general needs assessment in the form of literature review; 2) targeted needs assessment, in the form of faculty stakeholder meetings, a student focus group and baseline surveys; 3) optimization of learning objectives based on needs; 4) development of a pedagogical approach, namely animated, interactive modules informed by previously described best practices in animation development; 5) implementation across three different nursing schools; and 6) assessment of the learners and evaluation of the curriculum, primarily via surveys and engagement metadata.

RESULTS

Needs assessments confirmed the importance of prior experiences, sense of mission and other affective elements as key factors mitigating learners' baseline receptiveness to training and careers in cognition-related care. Students at all three institutions rated the modules' impact on their dementia-related attitudes highly, however these ratings were statistically significantly lower when both modules were delivered as a single assignment at one site. Knowledge quiz scores significantly increased from baseline at all three sites. Only 2.6% of respondents would have preferred a text-based reading assignment. Acceptability scores, including clarity, relevance, entertainment, attention and complexity, were generally rated highly, but attention and entertainment were rated significantly lower when both modules were administered as a single assignment.

CONCLUSION

Cognition and Dementia with Raymond and Brain demonstrates the successful blending of animation industry workflows with best practices of curriculum development to create a novel, animated module series that is acceptable and effective in priming nursing students with the attitudes and knowledge to continue learning about cognition and its disorders.

Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version of Kogan's Attitude toward Older People Scale (KAOP)

It is essential to understand the behavior and attitudes of nurses towards older people to improve clinical practice and quality of care in the gerontological sector. A clearer understanding of the attitudes that drive nurses toward the desire to work with older people would be a good starting point to encourage the development of positive and nurturing attitudes. A cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling and a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 381 nursing students of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Castilla La-Mancha to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish Version of the Kogan's Attitudes Towards Older People Scale (KAOP-S). Construct validity, internal consistency, and reliability were assessed. In total, 298 females and 83 males completed the questionnaires. Their mean age was 20.42 years. The results revealed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.75 for the scale, which is comparable with other published versions of the KAOP Scale. The results of the exploratory factor analysis established that the scale has a two-factor solution and an explained variance of 25% in the sample. The KAOP-S was found to be a reliable and valid tool with good content and construct validity for assessing nursing students' attitudes towards older people.

Do differences exist in cross-cultural caregivers' respect for the autonomy/dignity of people with dementia? Real-time field observations in nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Although published studies have examined the perceptions of caregivers who are attending to older adults with dementia concerning the values of human dignity and/or autonomy in institutional settings, none have explored the possible differences in actual behavior that relates to these values for caregivers from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds.

AIMS

Explore how caregivers with varied cultural backgrounds may differ in their real-time behavior regarding the autonomy and dignity of older adults with dementia and thereby determine whether that real-time behavior reveals new aspects of respect and disrespect for both the autonomy and dignity of those older adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A qualitative research based on non-participatory observations, was meticulously recorded using a written journal and a rigorous microanalysis to analyze the collected data. We made 58 shift-based observations (morning and evening) of 29 caregivers from 3 ethno-cultural groups working in 3 nursing homes in Israel. These groups included Israeli-born Jews (Sabras), Israeli Arab-Muslims (Arabs), and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (IFSU).

RESULTS

(1) IFSU caregivers demonstrated more respect for autonomy and dignity, but also demonstrated disrespect for these values. (2) the main difference between the IFSU caregivers and other caregiver groups pertained to respect for their autonomy. The main specific facets of autonomy where IFSU caregivers surpassed their colleagues were information provision and persuasion. (3) toward both autonomy and dignity of these older adults, previously unaccounted for in the models we used, were discovered among the varied groups of caregivers, with only minor gaps between these groups.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This study-the first of its kind to focus on the real-time behaviors of caregivers from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds-reveals the potential effects of culture on applying practices related to dignity and autonomy during daily care. The findings may have important implications for caregiver training in multicultural societies.

Nursing students' attitudes and associated factors towards older people in Heilongjiang Province, northern China: A cross-sectional study

Aim

Attitudes toward older persons could affect services that are provided to them and change the value of the care they receive. The attitude of nursing students toward older persons is very important as it will affect their care of older patients in future. However, in China, the attitude of higher vocational nursing students toward older persons has not been widely studied. The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes and factors toward older people among nursing students in higher vocational colleges in Heilongjiang Province.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using cluster sampling. A total of 1106 nursing students from two higher vocational colleges in Heilongjiang Province participated. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing nursing students’ attitudes toward older people.

Conclusion

This study showed that the vocational college nursing students have a positive attitude towardolder persons. However, the proportion of respondents taking care of older persons as their first choice in their future career needs to be increased. Advanced vocational colleges should pay attention to the attitudes of nursing students toward older persons, and strengthen the education of career development planning, which has practical significance in meeting the diversified health needs of older persons and ensuring healthy aging.

Student nurses' career preferences for working with people with dementia: A longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Internationally there are too few suitably skilled registered nurses to meet the demands for dementia care. Research has established low preferences in undergraduate nursing students for working with older people. However, there is limited research on preferences for dementia care. Understanding career preferences is one component of ensuring future workforce capacity.

OBJECTIVE

To assess student nurses' preferences during undergraduate training in relation to working with people with dementia.

METHODS

Data from a longitudinal survey collected at two UK universities were analysed (n = 488). Measures included career preferences, demographics, participation in a dementia educational intervention, and measures of attitude, knowledge, and empathy to dementia. Open text responses were also included to explore the students' reasons for their preferences.

RESULTS

The preference for working with older people and people with dementia was low and decreased during training. A linear regression analysis supports a strong relationship of preferences with attitudes to dementia. Content analysis of students' reasons for their preferences found that perceived difficulty and lack of confidence contributes to the negative evaluation of working with people with dementia.

CONCLUSION

Undergraduate nursing education needs to continue to review its contribution to preparing the dementia workforce and act to support positive attitudes to working with people with dementia across nursing specialties.

Preferences of newly qualified healthcare professionals for working with people with dementia: a qualitative study

Background

there is little research on preferences in students and newly qualified healthcare professionals for working with people with dementia. Understanding the development of these preferences can help inform strategies to increase workforce capacity in response to current suboptimal dementia care and the increasing numbers of people with dementia.

Objective

to explore the factors that influence career preferences in relation to working with people with dementia. Specifically, to understand how these factors relate to early career doctors’ and nurses’ preferences and how they influence decisions and perspectives on their careers.

Methods

qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 newly qualified doctors and nurses within 2 years of graduation. This included a subset of participants that had taken part in a dementia educational intervention during their undergraduate training. Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory methods.

Results

the results present six main categories representing complex interlinked factors influencing preferences for working with people with dementia as well as exploring the definition of a career working with people with dementia. The factors include the importance of making a difference; seeing dementia care as a different type of care; its perceived alignment with personal characteristics; perceptions of people with dementia; care environments and career characteristics.

Discussion

this is the first study to explore the factors influencing preferences for working with people with dementia in newly qualified healthcare professionals. It provides useful data to inform workforce planning, and curriculum and practice development to stimulate interest and drive improved quality of care.

How does geriatric nursing education program change the knowledge, attitude and working intention among undergraduate nursing students? A systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to examine the changes of knowledge, attitude and working intention in nursing students after an undergraduate geriatric nursing education.

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature.

DATA SOURCES

Five databases which included CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for this literature review from January 2010 to October 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

The review was registered in PROSPERO registry with registration number CRD42020215703. The review examined undergraduate nursing education programs in terms of knowledge, attitude and working intention towards geriatric care among undergraduate nursing students as outcomes. We used JBI critical appraisal tools and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to evaluate and assess the quality of the retrieved research papers.

RESULTS

The search yielded 19 studies included in the final review, 14 of which were quantitative studies and five were qualitative studies. Four types of education programs were identified. These were type 1, a four-year undergraduate gerontology program consisting of geriatric theory and geriatric care clinical placement; type 2, stand-alone geriatric subject and geriatric clinical placement program; type 3, integrated geriatric subject and geriatric clinical placement program; type 4, solely geriatric clinical placement program. The review found that the type 2 program demonstrated the best educational outcomes in undergraduate students.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provided the most recent literature evidence pertaining to undergraduate geriatric education program and its educational outcomes. Future research should focus on the evaluating the content of each type of geriatric education program to inform the development of undergraduate geriatric nursing education.

Assessing attitudes and intention to work with older adults by American and Israeli nursing students: Adapting and testing a measure

BACKGROUND

Finding workers to care for older adults in healthcare settings has become a priority, and research identifying factors influencing a nursing student's intention to make geriatrics a career choice is needed. This calls for the development of a reliable measure of students' perceptions and attitudes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the adaptability of Carolina Opinions on Care of Older Adults (COCOA) to assess nursing students' attitudes to older adults and their intentions to work with them in two countries.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS

Nursing students enrolled in an introduction to gerontological nursing course in the United States and Israel.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 231 undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing in the United States (N=122) and Israel (N=109).

METHODS

Students completed the COCOA instrument and basic demographics using an electronic platform.

RESULTS

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) produced five factors explaining 59% of the variation, with the majority of the items (17, 71%) loading above 0.40 on subscales from the instrument's original structure. EFA led to the elimination of one subscale (Value of Older Adults) and the creation of a new subscale (Older versus Younger Adults) with three items. The reliability scores were good to acceptable for all subscales in both Israeli and American samples (α-Cronbach 0.80 to 0.60). Confirmatory FA supported the data's fit to the 21 items of the modified COCOA instrument (CMIN/DF=1.55, CFI=0.93, IFI=0.93, RMSEA=0.05). The analysis of model equivalence for American and Israeli samples revealed significant differences only on the Experience in Caring for Older Adults subscale.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified COCOA demonstrated good construct validity and reliability and can serve as estimation of nursing students' attitudes to older adults and their intention to make geriatrics a career choice. Future studies should further evaluate its predictive validity.

Ageism and the Factors Affecting Ageism among Korean Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

With the increasing population of older adults, ageism is an obstacle to health equity and can negatively affect older adults’ quality of life and nursing care. This study aims to examine the level of ageism and the factors associated with ageism among nursing college students, who will become the main workforce for gerontological nursing. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 238 nursing students in two nursing colleges in South Korea. The total score for ageism was 37.06 (SD 5.94) out of a maximum of 72. In the multiple regression model, the predictors of ageism were aging anxiety (β = 0.420, p < 0.001), frequency of contact (β = −0.204, p < 0.001), preference for gerontological nursing (β = 0.150, p = 0.003), age (β = 0.145, p = 0.003), and quality of contact (β = −0.143, p = 0.030), revealing that these were factors influencing ageism in the evaluated nursing students. The results suggest that tailored gerontological education programs or community link programs in the nursing curriculum are necessary to share feelings of contact, increase positive experiences with older adults, and reduce anxiety about aging.

Nursing students' willingness to work in geriatric care: An integrative review

Aims

This integrative review aims to explore the willingness of nursing students to work in geriatric care over the past 10 years and to explore the factors influencing nursing students to work in geriatric care.

Design

An integrative review.

Methods

Studies investigating nursing students’ willingness in gerontological nursing work and related influencing factors published in English in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL between 2010–2020 were included. Data collected in April 2020.

Results

Twenty‐four studies were analysed. Most studies presented a contradictory or negative attitude about the willingness of nursing students to engage in gerontological nursing work. In most studies that rank the intention to work in nursing fields, gerontological care received the lowest or a relatively low ranking. The main factors affecting work related to gerontological nursing include prior experience caring for older adults, attitudes towards geriatrics, anxiety about ageing, clinical practice environment and living experience with older family members.

Gerontological nurse teachers' abilities and influence on students' willingness in older people nursing: A cross-sectional, correlational survey

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have focused on identifying the factors hindering nursing students' interest in gerontology careers, whereas others have suggested interventions to promote students' interest in older people nursing. However, the role of a teacher is equally vital in shaping students' career preference.

OBJECTIVE

This study therefore explored students' perspectives of their gerontological nurse teachers' abilities and its association with students' willingness to work in older people nursing.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional correlation study.

SETTING

Five Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate nursing students (N = 243).

METHOD

A self-administered survey using the Gerontological Nurse Teacher Scale (GeNTS) and the subscale (Willingness) of the Students' Interest in Nursing Older People Scale (SINOPS). Descriptive and inferential analysis were conducted using SPSS.

RESULTS

There was a moderate positive association (R = 0.25, N = 243, p = 0.000) between students' perspectives of their gerontological nurse teachers' abilities and students' willingness to work in older people nursing. The teachers' abilities to develop gerontological nursing course most influence students' willingness in older people nursing (r = 0.26, p = 0.001), whereas their knowledge and interest in gerontology, least influenced students' willingness in older people nursing (r = 0.14, p = 0.025). Also, the teachers abilities to address students' concerns about aging, promote gerontology careers, and demonstrate leadership skills in gerontology all had a similar statistically significant moderate positive association (r = 0.23, p = 0.001) with students' willingness to work in older people nursing.

CONCLUSION

Faculty need to ensure that there is adequate personal with expertise in gerontological nursing to advocate for resources to establish a reputable gerontological nursing profile in nursing curriculum and to develop and sustain a positive attitude towards older people nursing among students and staff. A qualitative study is needed to understand the reasons behind students' ratings.

Preferences of nursing and medical students for working with older adults and people with dementia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

A current issue in workforce planning is ensuring healthcare professionals are both competent and willing to work with older adults with complex needs. This includes dementia care, which is widely recognised as a priority. Yet research suggests that working with older people is unattractive to undergraduate healthcare students.

METHODS

The aim of this systematic review and narrative synthesis is to explore the factors related to healthcare (medical and nursing) student preferences' for working with older people and people with dementia. Searches were conducted in five databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINHAL, BNI, ERIC. Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted by two independent reviewers. A narrative, data-based convergent synthesis was conducted.

RESULTS

One thousand twenty-four papers were screened (139 full texts) and 62 papers were included for a narrative synthesis. Factors were grouped into seven categories; student characteristics, experiences of students, course characteristics, career characteristics, patient characteristics, work characteristics and the theory of planned behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Health educators should review their role in cultivating student interest in working with older adults, with consideration of student preparation and the perceived value of this work. There is a lack of evidence about the career preferences of students in relation to dementia, and this warrants further research.

The Effect of Educational Interventions on Willingness to Work with Older Adults: A Comparison of Students of Social Work and Health Professions

The study examined the effect of an educational intervention on the willingness of Israeli social work students to work with older adults, comparing them to students of nursing, speech therapy, and physiotherapy. A sample of 187 first-year students were divided into two groups: a research group (n=83) exposed to an educational intervention on ageing, and a control group (n=104) that received no intervention of any kind. Following the intervention, ageism among social work students in the research group decreased and positive behavior toward older adults increased. No significant differences were found among students of the health professions following the intervention. In addition, ageism mediated between knowledge of ageing and willingness to work with older adults.Furthermore, the higher the students assessed the contribution of the intervention, the lower their level of ageism, the more positive their behavior toward older adults, and the more willing they were to consider a career in geriatrics. The results suggest that introducing into the curriculum a variety of learning methods aimed at increasing knowledge of ageing and familiarity with the world of older adults is likely to encourage more students of social work and other therapeutic professions to work with the older population.

Becoming a Home Care Worker: Job-Seekers' Push and Pull Factors

This study examined "push and pull" factors associated with the decision to become home care workers among job-seekers in Israel. Participants completed measures of ageism, anxiety about aging, attitudes toward the home care profession, and personal relationship with older adults. Of 1,492 participants, 32.0% accepted the offer to become home care workers and were no longer in the job market, 36.7% accepted the offer but worked in the past, and 31.2% refused the offer. Compared to participants currently employed, the odds of being employed in the past were higher for participants who were younger, with poorer health and higher ageism; the odds of refusal were higher for males, Arabs, younger participants, with more education, lower ageism, and fewer personal relationship with older adults. The findings have implications for practice with job-seekers and for retaining current home care workers in the field. This may assist in expanding the home care workforce.

How figurative language may be related to formal care-givers’ person-centred approach toward their patients with dementia

Person-centred care that respects a patient's personhood is the gold standard in dementia care, which is often difficult to achieve given the complexity of caring for people with dementia. This article delves into the narration style of formal care-givers from a variety of ethno-cultural backgrounds in search of linguistic cues that may be related to their emphasis on a person-centred approach to care. A qualitative study, using a discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with 20 formal care-givers in an institutional setting, was employed. The care-givers fell into three groups: Arabs, immigrants from the former Soviet Union (IFSU) and Jews born in Israel (JBI). Our results show 20 figurative language expressions (FLEs) in the narratives of the JBI care-givers and 11 among the IFSU care-givers. In contrast, the Arab care-givers conveyed 48 FLEs. Many of the Arab care-givers’ FLEs were not associated with the ‘regular’ domains articulated by other care-givers (family, children, militaristic language) and were primarily individual-focused, emphasising the personhood of the patient. These findings, together with relevant theoretical literature, suggest that the extensive use of figurative language by Arab care-givers may be a possible tool assisting these care-givers to employ a person-centred approach, manifested in their stress on the personhood of the patient. Such tools may be useful for better achieving person-centred care for these patients.

Undergraduate nursing students and the elderly: An assessment of attitudes in a Turkish university

At times when populations are aging and nursing services for elders are needed, gerontology as a nursing specialty is not a highly sought career choice. The purposes of this study were to assess the overall attitudes of nursing students at a Turkish university toward the elderly and to identify the effects of demographic and social factors on attitudes. Using a non-experimental design, the Turkish version of the Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People (KAOP) Scale was given to undergraduate nursing students. Significant findings demonstrated that the older the student, the worse the attitude and that students willing to work with elders had significantly better total KAOP and better positive item scores than those not willing to work with elders. The findings support educational preparation as a major factor in shaping student attitudes. Geriatric education should be integral to nursing education to help ensure sustainability of nursing services for the elderly population.

Human dignity and autonomy in the care for patients with dementia: differences among formal caretakers from various cultural backgrounds

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether gaps exist between caretakers from different ethno-cultural groups (Israeli-born Jews [Sabras], Israeli Arabs [Arabs], and migrants from Russia [Russians]) regarding their perceptions of autonomy and human dignity of patients with dementia.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods research scheme was used, comprised of qualitative and quantitative methods, utilizing semi-structured interviews and self-reported questionnaires. Twenty formal caretakers participated in the qualitative portion, and approximately 200 caretakers were included in the quantitative portion. All participants were recruited from three nursing homes and one hospital in the Galilee region (Israel).

RESULTS

The qualitative portion of the study yielded eight themes encapsulated in the concept of autonomy and ten themes entailed within human dignity, in the context of care for patients with dementia. By utilizing these themes in the quantitative portion, substantial differences in nursing homes were found in the attitudes to autonomy and dignity of patients with dementia between Russian and Arab as well as Sabra caretakers (index score for autonomy: 2.97, 4.07, and 4, respectively; index score for dignity: 3.17, 4.1, and 4.07). A multi-variable regression, focusing on caretakers from nursing homes, showed the most significant influencing variables on the indexes of autonomy and dignity were ethno-culture Arab/Russian (0.84, 0.62) and the patient's family (0.29, 0.30). Regarding the autonomy index, being a female caretaker also had a significant influence (0.24). In the hospital, no influence emerged for the ethno-culture variables, and neither type of institution showed any influence of religion or religiousness as well as societal or community norms.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to past research, in nursing homes, significant differences were found between certain ethno-cultural groups (Arabs and Russians) regarding their stance toward the dignity and autonomy of patients with dementia. Arab caretakers' fostering of more encompassing conceptions of dignity and autonomy, irrespective of institutional setting, provides better grounds for person-centered care.

"I Treat Him as a Normal Patient": Unveiling the Normalization Coping Strategy Among Formal Caregivers of Persons With Dementia and Its Implications for Person-Centered Care

INTRODUCTION

Currently, 47 million people have dementia, worldwide, often requiring paid care by formal caregivers. Research regarding family caregivers suggests normalization as a model for coping with negative emotional outcomes in caring for a person with dementia (PWD). The study aims to explore whether normalization coping mechanism exists among formal caregivers, reveal differences in its application among cross-cultural caregivers, and examine how this coping mechanism may be related to implementing person-centered care for PWDs.

METHOD

Content analysis of interviews with 20 formal caregivers from three cultural groups (Jews born in Israel [JI], Arabs born in Israel [AI], Russian immigrants [RI]), attending to PWDs.

RESULTS

We extracted five normalization modes, revealing AI caregivers had substantially more utterances of normalization expressions than their colleagues.

DISCUSSION

The normalization modes most commonly expressed by AI caregivers relate to the personhood of PWDs. These normalization modes may enhance formal caregivers' ability to employ person-centered care.

Nursing curriculums may hinder a career in gerontological nursing: An integrative review

OBJECTIVE

To investigate what prevents undergraduate nursing students from choosing gerontological nursing as a career option.

DESIGN

This study utilised an integrative literature review, which allows the inclusion of previous studies with diverse research designs to gain a broader view of the reasons why nursing students do not choose a gerontological nursing career.

METHODS

An electronic database search of CINAHL (Ebsco), Scopus and Eric elicited 251 scientific peer-reviewed empirical studies, published from 2006 to March 2016 in English. After meeting the inclusion criteria, 97 qualified for closer examination. Following exclusion, the final analysis and synthesis included 21 articles.

RESULTS

Four main themes described nursing students' contributing reasons for not selecting gerontological nursing as a career option: socio-demographic factors; experiences, perceptions and knowledge about ageing; perceptions concerning the nature or status of gerontological nursing; and theoretical studies and practical education of nursing curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of positive experiences with older people before and during nursing students' studies led to their disinterest in gerontological nursing as a career option. The nursing curriculum also reinforces the perception of modern nursing as technical, with more emphasis on acute and critical care. The findings emphasise the need to implement an age-friendly curriculum and have nurses that specialise in gerontology to serve as mentors and role models. It is important to assist nursing students in identifying the potentials for career advancement in terms of gerontological nursing. There is also a need for nursing faculties to liaise with other stakeholders to develop or improve upon the clinical atmosphere for nursing students during gerontological nursing placement.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nursing faculties must review their curriculum to ensure that there is sufficient focus on the needs of older people within the curriculum for every student. Furthermore, respected role models who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about issues related to older people must teach gerontological nursing courses.

Dignity and autonomy in the care for patients with dementia: Differences among formal caretakers of varied cultural backgrounds and their meaning

BACKGROUND

A key message in the World Health Organization report on dementia (2012) emphasizes this disease as a top priority in public health and the need to improve professional attitudes to patients with dementia, while acknowledging that the workforce in dementia care is becoming increasingly diverse culturally.

AIMS

To trace whether there are substantial gaps between formal caretakers from different cultural groups (Israeli born Jews [Sabras], Israeli Arabs [Arabs] and migrants from Russia [Russians]) regarding their stances on the human dignity and autonomy of patients with dementia, as well as understand the meaning of these gaps.

DESIGN & METHOD

quantitative analysis utilizing questionnaires that were filled-out by approximately 200 caretakers from the different cultural groups, working in a nursing home or a hospital.

RESULTS

In nursing homes, substantial differences were found in the attitudes to human dignity and autonomy of patients with dementia between Russian and Arab as well as Sabra caretakers. In the hospital, there was no influence for the ethno-culture variable on dignity or autonomy.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to past research, in nursing homes, significant differences were found between certain ethno-cultural groups (Arabs and Russians) regarding their stance towards the dignity of patients with dementia. Arab caretakers hold a conception of dignity and autonomy that resonates strongly with person-centered care and outweighs institutional settings as well as may be related to the fostering of virtues.

Autonomy and dignity of patients with dementia: Perceptions of multicultural caretakers

Background:

A key message in the World Health Organization’s report on dementia emphasizes the need to improve public and professional attitudes to dementia and its understanding, while acknowledging the fact that the workforce in dementia care is becoming increasingly diverse culturally.

Objectives:

To explore possible differences among formal caretakers from varied cultural background in their attitudes toward the autonomy and human dignity of patients with dementia.

Research design:

Semi-structured interviews and content analysis, utilizing two fictional vignettes for eliciting caretakers’ attitudes toward dignity and autonomy of their patients.

Participants and context:

A total of 20 formal caretakers of patients with dementia from three different cultural groups in Israel (“Sabras,” “Arabs,” and “Russians”), working in nursing homes and a hospital.

Ethical consideration:

Approvals of relevant research ethics committees were obtained and followed.

Findings:

In comparison with the other groups, most Arab caretakers offer markedly richer perceptions of human dignity and autonomy. Their human dignity’s conceptualization emphasizes “person-centered approach,” and their perception of patients’ autonomy includes provision of explanations and preservation and encouragement of independence.

Discussion:

The differences found in the attitudes toward the meaning of autonomy and human dignity between the Arab caretakers and the other caretakers stand in contrast to previous studies regarding human dignity, emphasizing the common nature of these attitudes. Offering a linkage (theoretical and empirical) between the Arab perceptions of dignity and autonomy, the study strengthen and further the importance attributed in existing literature to person-centered care in enhancing the quality of care for patients with dementia.

Conclusion:

The conceptualization of human dignity may vary among different cultural groups. It may also influence the extent to which the caretaker holds a full-fledged perception of the patients’ autonomy.

Learning with older people--Outcomes of a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Nursing students' interest in older people nursing needs to be enhanced, as there is a demand for competent nurses who prefer to work in older people nursing. Educational approaches involving older people are encouraging; they increase positive learning outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the Learning with Older People Programme (LOPP) in terms of nursing students' interest in older people nursing, their attitudes towards older people and their knowledge level about ageing.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental, pre-post-test design with non-equivalent comparison group was used.

SETTINGS

Two different Finnish nursing schools geographically apart from each other.

PARTICIPANTS

A nonprobability, convenience sample of nursing students (n=87; n=46 in the intervention group, n=41 in the comparison group) in the middle of their 3.5 year bachelor degree studies and enrolled in compulsory theoretical older people nursing courses participated in the study.

METHODS

Data were collected in 2014 using a structured questionnaire that included background questions, students' interest in older people nursing as a primary outcome measure and their attitudes towards older people and knowledge level about ageing as secondary outcome measures. The data were analysed statistically.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, students' interest in older people nursing was significantly higher and their attitudes towards older people were more positive than those of students in the comparison group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the students' knowledge level about ageing.

CONCLUSIONS

An educational approach involving older people resulted in encouraging outcomes. It is worth considering whether or not older people could be a valuable resource for nursing education.

Student nurses' motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career in China: a survey study

BACKGROUND

The world's population is aging, and the need for nurses is increasing. Working with older adults, however, has always been an unpopular career choice among student nurses. It is important to understand student nurses' motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career and to identify the associated factors among student nurses.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

Participants were last-semester student nurses from 7 universities offering nursing undergraduate programs in Shandong, China. Of the 1290 student nurses, 916 completed the survey (a response rate of 71.0%).

METHODS

The outcome variable was the motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career. This was measured using a motivation questionnaire that included expectancy and value subscales. Other instruments included the Chinese version of the Facts on Aging Quiz I, the Geriatrics Attitudes Scale, the Anxiety about Aging Scale, a clinical practice environment questionnaire and a self-administered general information questionnaire.

RESULTS

Student nurses' expectancy and value aspects of motivation for choosing gerontological nursing as a career were both at a moderate level; the highest value they held was of personal interest. Clinical practice environment, anxiety about aging and the attitudes about geriatrics were the main factors influencing student nurses' motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career in China.

CONCLUSIONS

It is imperative for nurse educators to improve the gerontological nursing clinical practice environment for student nurses. Moreover, cultivating student nurses' positive attitudes about geriatrics and relieving anxiety about aging could be beneficial.

The Impact of Nursing Students’ Cultural Diversity on the Intention and Attitudes Toward the Use of Information Technology

This research highlights the evidences that: The greater the threat, the lower the attitude toward information technology is, and the greater the sense of challenge, the greater self-efficacy is. Innovativeness was found to be a behavioral intention predictor in two groups, secular Jews and Arabs. This study provides nurses and nurse educators with some valuable insights about how culture, religion, and education may influence nursing students’ attitudes toward information technology.