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