title: Students and teachers' preferences for undergraduate dementia education in Western Australia.
abstract: Medical graduates require positive attitudes toward older people with cognitive impairment, in addition to knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of dementia. The Student Training Project in Dementia (STriDE) project was conducted to ensure that these needs are met through curricula in Western Australian medical schools. Two medical schools in Perth, Western Australia, participated. Mixed methods were utilized comprising a) focus groups and interviews and b) a survey of teachers and students. Participants recommended clearer structure and standardization in the curriculum to ensure that all students receive similar educational experiences regardless of hospital placement. Both teachers, and to a lesser extent students, held positive attitudes toward older people. Teachers tended to be more dissatisfied with current curricula than students. Teachers and learners endorsed a broad range of teaching and learning methods, assessments, and skills/competencies. The results of this study present major challenges for professional entry dementia education given the breadth, flexibility, and depth of dementia education recommended by teachers and learners.
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. christopher.beer@uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hird
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flicker
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014904:Western Australia