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'Getting to Know Me': The second phase roll-out of a staff training programme for supporting people with dementia in general hospitals

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Elvish, Ruth 
Burrow, Simon 
Cawley, Rosanne 
Harney, Kathryn 

Abstract

Objectives The aims were to evaluate a second phase roll-out of a dementia care training programme for general hospital staff and to further develop two outcome scales: the Confidence in Dementia scale for measuring confidence in working with people with dementia and the Knowledge in Dementia scale for measuring knowledge in dementia. Method Following a 'training the trainers' phase, the study involved the delivery of the 'Getting to Know Me' training programme to a large number of staff (n = 517) across three National Health Service (NHS) Trusts situated in North-West England. The impact of the programme was evaluated using a pre-post design which explored: (i) changes in confidence in dementia, (ii) changes in knowledge in dementia, and (iii) changes in beliefs about behaviours that challenge. Results Statistically significant change was identified between pre-post training on all outcome measures (Confidence in Dementia: eight point increase, p < 0.001; Knowledge in Dementia: two point increase p < 0.001; controllability beliefs scale: four point decrease, p < 0.001). Medium to large effect sizes were demonstrated on all outcome measures. The psychometric properties of the Confidence in Dementia and Knowledge in Dementia scales are reported. Conclusion Staff knowledge in dementia and confidence in working with people with dementia significantly increased following attendance at the training sessions. The findings are consistent with preliminary findings and strengthen current knowledge about the impact of dementia care training in general hospitals. The Confidence in Dementia and Knowledge in Dementia scales continue to demonstrate psychometrically sound properties and demonstrate utility in the field of dementia research.

Description

Keywords

acute care, dementia, general hospital, scale, staff training

Journal Title

Dementia

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1741-2684
1741-2684

Volume Title

17

Publisher

SAGE
Sponsorship
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by, and undertaken as part of, the Health Innovation and Education Cluster (HIEC) programme. The HIEC programme was developed to support the delivery of high quality health care, provide education and training, promote innovation in health care, and lead to adoption of research. One of the main aims of the HIEC programme was to produce sustainable change in practice within the NHS.