title: Knowing versus doing: education and training needs of staff in a chronic care hospital unit for individuals with dementia.
abstract: Hospital clinical staff routinely confront challenging behaviors in patients with dementia with limited training in prevention and management. The authors of the current article conducted a survey of staff on a chronic care hospital unit concerning knowledge about dementia, perceived educational needs, and the care environment. The overall mean score for a 27-item knowledge scale was 24.08 (SD = 2.61), reflecting high level of disease knowledge. However, staff indicated a need for more information and skills, specifically for managing behaviors nonpharmacologically (92.3%), enhancing patient safety (89.7%), coping with care challenges (84.2%), and involving patients in activities (81.6%). Although most staff (i.e., nurses [80%] and therapists [86.4%]) believed their care contributed a great deal to patient well-being, approximately 75% reported frustration and being overwhelmed by dementia care. Most reported being hit, bitten, or physically hurt by patients (66.7%), as well as disrespected by families (53.8%). Findings suggest that staff have foundational knowledge but lack the "how-to" or hands-on skills necessary to implement nonpharmacological behavioral management approaches and communicate with families.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Haitsma
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alonzi
authors.forename: Bryan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Laura N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Gitlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult