title: Understanding the role of an educational model in developing knowledge of caring for older persons with dementia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Statistics show that the number of older people in need of care is increasing worldwide, especially those with dementia. This implies demands on knowledge and competence among health care staff to care for them. In Sweden, Silviahemmet offers dementia care units the opportunity to become certified according to a special certification educational model. Silviahemmet provides educational programs for staff in dementia care and day care for person with dementia. All staff undergoes a systematic training course in dementia care. The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of how an educational model developed the perceived knowledge of staff caring for older persons with dementia in a nursing home.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenographical approach was used and qualitative interviews were carried out with 13 staff members in a nursing home.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main results show that staff perceives the importance of knowledge, working together and creating a sense of fellowship. The care of persons with dementia requires a special approach and adherence. Participating in the educational program made the staff realize and acknowledge their tacit knowledge and the importance of reflection-in-action together in the team.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate the need for a common theoretical knowledge base and value system to achieve coherence in daily work.
authors.affiliation: Ersta Sköndal University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, P.O. Box 11189, S-100 61 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Charlotte.prahl@esh.se.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prahl
authors.affiliation: Ersta Sköndal University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, P.O. Box 11189, S-100 61 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: caroline.krook@esh.se.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krook
authors.affiliation: Ersta Sköndal University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, P.O. Box 11189, S-100 61 Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Ingegerd.fagerberg@esh.se.
authors.forename: Ingegerd
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fagerberg
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D004645:Empathy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013548:Sweden
keywords: Competence development; Educational model; Older persons with dementia; Phenomenography; Reflection-on and -in-action