Drs Catherine Travers & David Lie

1. Hospital Employees Awareness and Attitudes to Dementia Study (HEADS): Implementation and Evaluation. Drs Catherine Travers & David Lie

2. Background • To improve the care of patients with dementia in the acute hospital setting, it has been recommended that dementia training programs be provided to all hospital staff including non-clinical staff. • The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate a brief dementia education program for non-clinical staff at a large tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia.

3. Study Phases • 1. Literature Review • Consultative Process • Conduct of dementia education sessions • Skill 1 • Skill 2

4. Consultative Process • We consulted with managerial staff to gauge the need for & level of interest in brief dementia education sessions, • A survey (paper & online) was distributed to staff to identify: • What topics were of most interest; • What day & time would suit most people;

5. Dementia Education sessions • Total session length = 60 minutes • 3 x 1 hour sessions; OR 2 x 30 minute sessions; • A powerpoint presentation by Qld Dementia Training Study Centre (DTSC) staff; • Handouts; • Interactive style; • The sessions were widely advertised;

6. Dementia Education topics • general information about dementia • what dementia is and how many people are affected by dementia • common types of dementia and common features of dementia • areas of the brain that are affected in dementia • communication issues experienced by people with dementia • practical strategies for communicating with patients with dementia • practical strategies for facilitating mobility and falls prevention in patients with dementia • practical strategies for facilitating memory and orientation in patients with dementia.

7. Evaluation • Pre- and post session questionnaire; • Self-rated knowledge & confidence; • Knowledge questions – 10 questions; • Usefulness & relevance of the sessions;

8. Results • 52 people attended 5 dementia education sessions; • Most were female (n=42; 87.5%) • Most were aged between 41-60 years (n=19; 39.6%); • Most had worked at the hospital for 3-5 years (n=13; 27.1%); • Most were ward receptionists (n=14; 29.2%); • 75% had not received any dementia education/training at work;

9. Results continued • 40 participants completed both pre- and post session questionnaires; • Baseline knowledge of dementia was poor; • Dementia knowledge • Self-rated dementia knowledge

10. Results continued • A high level of satisfaction with the sessions; • 56% ‘strongly agreed’ the information was useful; • 40% ‘strongly agreed’ the information was relevant to their work; • 61% ‘strongly agreed’ the sessions were interesting

11. Results – 6 week Follow-Up • 34 follow-up surveys were distributed; • 15 completed & returned; • Dementia knowledge was retained over the 6 week interval; • Have you applied anything you learnt in the dementia education sessions in your workplace in the last 6 weeks? • Examples included: speaking in short sentences;

12. Discussion • It is feasible to conduct brief dementia education and awareness sessions for non-clinical staff and volunteers in an acute hospital setting; • The program was well-received by participants; • A 60-minute session can improve dementia knowledge & confidence; • Translation of knowledge into practice;

13. Conclusion • Brief dementia education training programs appear to be effective in improving knowledge about dementia and self-confidence in interacting with patients with dementia. • It is recommended that brief dementia training sessions be provided on a regular, on-going basis, particularly in view of frequent staff changes in the acute hospital environment.

14. Questions • Thank-you for listening