Implementation of a training program to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and reduce nursing care omissions towards patients with dementia in hospital settings: a mixed-method study protocol

Abstract

IntroductionThere is an evidence showing that when nurses have to allocate their time because of a lack of resources, older patients and especially those with dementia have a secondary care priority. The purpose of this study is to advance the level of knowledge, promote positive attitudes of nurses and reduce care deficits towards people with dementia through the implementation of a training programme. The programme will be enriched by an observational study of the care of patients with dementia to identify areas of missed care.Method and analysisThis study will follow a mixed methodology consisting of three stages: (1) evaluation of the level of nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care through the use of structured questionnaires, (2) observational study to evaluate nursing care in hospital settings, in order to detect any missed care and (3) quasi-experimental study, with a before-and-after design, through the implementation of the training programme in order to increase nurses’ knowledge, improve attitudes and consequently to promote care for patients with dementia. The data will be analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics with the use of the SPSS V.24.0 and with content analysis as regard to the observational data.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the National Bioethics committee and other local committees (ΕΕΒΚ: 2018.01.02). The participants will give their informed consent and the anonymity and confidentiality. Also, the protection of data will be respected. The results of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences. If the intervention is successful, the training package will be given to the continuous education unit of the National Professional Association in order to be used on a regular basis.

Are data on missed nursing care useful for nursing leaders? The RN4CAST@IT cross‐sectional study

“…With the advent of critical mass of international scholars now examining these issues (RN4CAST, 2020) and networking events aimed at spearheading developments to address missed care (RANCARE, 2020), there is great hope that not only will raising awareness continue, but that changes in nursing practice may occur. There are some plans for training about missed care and its avoidance, which might be useful for practitioners (Evripidou, Merkouris, Charalambous, & Papastavrou, 2019).…”

An Ethical Perspective of Nursing Care Rationing and Missed Care

“…Therefore, it is important to ensure that nursing care and nursing time are treated as significant and important health care resources [1]. Access to such resources should be governed by explicit discussion, principles and guidance on prioritization, including an overt recognition that allocation of nursing care and nursing time is an ethical issue, in addition to being a matter of financial, professional and patient safety concern [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

National policy actions on dementia in the Americas and Asia-Pacific: Consensus and challenges

“…Australia had a priority area on awareness raising and risk reduction, but without a life-course perspective. Given the shortage of professionals specialized in dementia care (18), workforce preparation and training were emphasized in most national plans; but only seven explicitly mentioned training at the university level or beyond.…”