The Effect of Training on Dementia Care among Nurses: A Systematic Review

Assessment of dementia knowledge in Indian speech-language pathology students

OBJECTIVES

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a crucial role in assisting individuals with dementia due to the communication and swallowing challenges associated with the disease. As the number of dementia cases rises in India at an increasing rate, investigating the level of dementia knowledge of SLP students can offer insight into the preparedness of the healthcare system to meet this emerging demand.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on SLP students pursuing their final year undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees from four universities across India. Dementia knowledge was assessed using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and information about previous dementia exposure (both formal and informal) was collected. The collected data were analysed using quantitative methods.

RESULTS

A total of 220 students (64.70% response rate) completed the survey. Overall dementia knowledge was inadequate with an average score of 22.08 ± 10.06. Previous dementia exposure among the students was also found to be low and did not affect dementia knowledge scores.

DISCUSSION

Despite the fundamental role SLPs play in the care of individuals with dementia, the lack of knowledge in this area emphasizes the need for enhancing dementia training programs through educational curricula and clinical placements.

The Attitudes of Nurses in the Hospital toward Vulnerable People

Background: Vulnerable people are at higher risk for ill health and often experience discrimination in health services. Persons with disabilities, People with Dementia (PWD), and People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are some groups of people with vulnerabilities who often need hospital care. Nurses are the largest group of health personnel and frequently meet with these patients so that the attitude of nurses can have a consequence on the quality of health care. Research Objectives: To identify nurses' attitudes towards vulnerable people and factors related to their attitudes. Methods: This quantitative research used a cross-sectional design. The research subjects were 386 nurses in the main public Dr. Sardjito hospital selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected in January-February 2021 with a Google Form. Researchers used a demographic data questionnaire, an attitude questionnaire (Attitude Toward Disabled Person Scale Form O, Dementia Attitude Scale, and AIDS Attitude Scale), and a knowledge questionnaire (Self-Administered Questionnaire about Knowledge), Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, and HIV-Knowledge Questionnaire-18). Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests, specifically the Spearman rank, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The score of nurses' attitudes towards persons with disabilities was 54.00 out of 120; the score of nurses' attitudes to PWD was 102.00 out of 140; and the score of nurses' attitudes toward PLWHA was -0.65 out of +5. Knowledge, history of interaction, and experience in caring have a significant effect on nurses' attitudes towards vulnerable people (p value <0.05). The education level only affects the attitudes of nurses towards persons with disabilities (p value = 0.042). Family history only affects nurses' attitudes to PWD (p value = 0.013). Age and special education/training only affect the attitudes of nurses on PWD and PLWHA (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Nurses tend to present positive attitudes toward PWD, but nurses are inclined to show negative attitudes against people with disabilities and PLWHA. Knowledge, caring experience, and interaction are confirmed to have an effect on nurses' attitudes with the result that programs to increase knowledge and experience of nurses towards vulnerable groups are recommended for this group. Keywords: Attitude, Dementia, Disability, HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Nurse.