The development of a dementia awareness training package in the Thames Valley region: an evidence based approach

Introduction: Health Education England’s (2014) mandate stipulated that 250,000 healthcare staff required Tier 1 level dementia awareness training. In response, Health Education Thames Valley in the UK commissioned the Dementia Academic Action Group. This consortium, of University of Bedfordshire, Oxford Brookes University, University of Northampton and University of West London, reviewed dementia awareness training, identifying gaps, best practice and barriers to accessing training. This work led to the development of a training model for delivery to health & social care sectors.Method: A scoping review was undertaken to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the range of dementia awareness training currently being delivered. A mixed method approach was employed, consisting of a literature review; review of Tier 1 dementia awareness educational resources (59 training documents); stakeholder interviews (n=32); carer focus groups (n=2) and online staff survey (n=74).Results: The literature and scoping reviews and stakeholder interviews found a wide range of training available. Stakeholders reported this variety made it challenging to confidently identify training which met staff and organisational needs. The review of dementia training identified that most resources included information on signs/symptoms, types/causes, supporting people with dementia and person centred care. Information on policy, legislation and end of life care were less evident. The literature review identified ethnic diversity, learning disability and young onset dementia as gaps in training provision. The stakeholder, staff and carer findings highlighted theneed for greater information on: developing personal communication strategies; information about dementia and how to develop activities to support positive engagement. Finally, staff and stakeholders considered benefits of different training delivery styles, reporting a preference for a blended learning approach, stating this was more suited to developing dementia knowledge and skills, as opposed to a solely online format.Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was identified that there is an apparent need to develop a standard training package, which should be person centred, support enhanced communication approaches and increase understanding of coping with a diagnosis of dementia. This could prove attractive to the health & social care workforce in the Thames Valley Region, across the UK, and to the international arena

The design, delivery and impact of a Tier 1 Dementia Awareness training package delivered in the Thames Valley Region in England, UK

Objectives: As part of Health Education England’s (HEE) response to the 2014 Mandate, Health Education England Thames Valley (HEETV) commissioned four universities to undertake a multi-phase project. The University of West London, Oxford Brookes University, University of Bedfordshire and University of Northampton became partners in the Dementia Academic Action Group (DAAG). Phase 1 of the project consisted of a Scoping Review, reported through a poster at the 2016 ADI. This poster will focus on Phase 2 (design and delivery of the training package) and Phase 3 (evaluation of the impact of training). The DAAG has developed evidence based and quality assured training package based on recognised National UK standards such as Skills for Health Dementia Training Standards (2015). It has also been validated by the Alzheimer Society as meeting the standards for Dementia Friend’s training, and participants are eligible to register as a Dementia Friend on completion of the training. The package is mostly delivered in a 2 hour session, but can also be taken through 8 separate units of learning. A total of 1471 people attended the standard 2 hour training, delivered through 84 different sessions in 34 different venues across the region. Attendees represented a wide range of professionals, from porters, cooks and cleaners to nurses, pharmacists, therapists and doctors. Some sessions were uni- professional but, most had a professionally mixed audience. The number of trainees per session varied from 3 to 112. Subsequent to the training, quantitative and qualitative data was collected through evaluation questionnaires, combined with follow up online questionnaires and individual face to face or telephone interviews 6 weeks after the event. Over 85% of respondents to the follow up questionnaires and interviews reported improved skills, attitudes and confidence in working with people with dementia following the training. 70.2% indicated that they had been able to transfer some of what they had learned in the training to practice. Sustainability was ensured through the development of a trainers guide and ‘train the trainers’ events. The Tier 1 dementia awareness training package is now available for free from the Health Education England website, and it’s ongoing use is subject to continuing evaluation