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Bridging the gap: an innovative dementia learning program for healthcare assistants in hospital wards using facilitator-led discussions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2009

Alan Chapman  and
Shirley Law
Alan Chapman*
Affiliation:
The Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, Stirling, U.K.
Shirley Law
Affiliation:
The Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, Stirling, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Alan Chapman, The Dementia Services Development Centre Iris Murdoch Building, University of Stirling FK9 4LA, U.K. Phone: +44 (0)1786 467740; Fax. +44 (0)1786 466846. Email: a.j.chapman@stir.ac.uk.
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Abstract

Nursing a person with dementia in a ward setting can be stressful and a challenge for staff and patients alike. Healthcare assistants are identified as requiring a specific training program. They form part of the front-line workforce and yet have the least access to training but often most contact with patients. The program in this study focused on person-centered care and used six self-study workbooks. Experienced registered nurses are trained to be facilitators of 12 group discussions in the ward setting. The training program viewed the facilitator as playing a key role in empowering the healthcare assistant but also in promoting reflective practice. The outcomes to date have been positive and showed a development in confidence and competence of the healthcare assistants involved.

Keywords

dementiahealthcare assistantsperson-centered carelearning
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Supplement S1: International perspectives on dementia education, training and knowledge transfer , April 2009 , pp. S58 - S63
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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