title: Differences in Case Conferences in Dementia Specific vs Traditional Care Units in German Nursing Homes: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate differences in the provision and performance of case conferences for people with dementia between dementia special care units (DSCUs) and traditional care units (TCUs) in nursing homes. Because DSCUs employ more staff, we expect the likelihood of the provision of case conferences to be higher in DSCUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cross-sectional study. Residents from DSCUs and TCUs were compared using genetic propensity score matching over all of the observed potential covariates, including the characteristics that served as admission criteria for DSCUs. Because of the multisite structure of the data, clustering was accounted for with a generalized mixed model.
  
  
  METHODS
  DSCUs are defined as units within nursing homes that offer care exclusively to residents with dementia and that charge higher rates for the specialized care provided. TCUs are defined as care units for residents with and without dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A matched sample was drawn out of a convenience sample of 1808 residents from 51 nursing homes. It consisted of 264 residents from 16 DSCUs and 264 residents from 48 TCUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data regarding the provision of case conferences were collected by the nurses using the Dementia Care Questionnaire. Other collected data included challenging behavior (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire), mobility (Physical Self-Maintenance Scale), cognitive impairment (Dementia Screening Scale), and sociodemographic information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the DSCU group, case conferences were provided to 91% (n = 224) of the residents; in the TCU group, 82.5% (n = 203) received a case conference. After adjusting for clustering, no significant difference between DSCUs and non-DSCUs was found. The topic "challenging behaviors" was discussed more often in case conferences in TCUs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Case conferences are a widespread intervention in German nursing homes, including both DSCUs and TCUs. The provision of a case conference is not a special feature of DSCUs.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Site Witten, Witten, Germany; Department of Health, School of Nursing Science, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany. Electronic address: rebecca.palm@dzne.de.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palm
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Site Witten, Witten, Germany; Martin-Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Institute of Informatics, Halle/Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trutschel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, School of Nursing Science, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartholomeyczik
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Site Witten, Witten, Germany; Department of Health, School of Nursing Science, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holle
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057216:Propensity Score
keywords: Dementia; case conferences; dementia special care units; nursing homes