Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the U.S., with expected cases rising from 6.7 million to about 13.8 million by 2060 [1]. Over 90% of individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias (Pw-ADRD) experience behavioral symptoms such as agitation [1]. Studies have shown that these symptoms are positively correlated with functional and cognitive impairment, leading to earlier placement in nursing homes, hospitalizations, and increased caregiver burden [2-3]. Non-pharmacological interventions have been shown to be effective in preventing and managing those symptoms [4-5]. However, many healthcare and allied professionals lack the knowledge and skills to implement these interventions effectively, resulting in suboptimal care for Pw-ADRD and their family caregivers [6-7]. The need for healthcare and allied professionals to acquire the necessary competence is well established in the literature [8-9].
Purpose: To explore the experience of undergraduate final year healthcare and allied health students in acquiring knowledge and skills to prevent and manage dementia behavioral symptoms effectively.
Design: Qualitative design
Method: A purposive sample of 21 final year healthcare and allied health students participated in three virtual 60-90-minute focus group sessions (6-7 per group) about their knowledge and skills acquisition of dementia-related behavioral symptoms and associated non-pharmacological preventative and management strategies. The focus group session also explored their experience in interdisciplinary role in managing the symptoms and their use of digital learning resources. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Limited interprofessional and experiential learning opportunities, with observation-based learning being the frequent approach, (2) Lack of adequate knowledge and skills, (3) Low self-confidence, and (4) Lack of digital learning resources. The findings highlight the deficit in adequate learning resources and coverage for students' acquisition of knowledge and skills around dementia-related behavioral symptoms and management.
Conclusion: The findings provide insight into the insufficiency of observation-based learning in equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills. Improved interprofessional experiential learning opportunities are needed to prepare future healthcare professionals to manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms.
Notes
References:
1. Alzheimer's Association. (2024). 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
2. Gaugler, E, J. (2022). Unpaid Dementia Caregiving: A Policy and Public Health Imperative, Public Policy & Aging Report, 32(2), 51–57
3. Jagoda, T., Dharmaratne, S. D., & Rathnayake, S. (2024). Designing an mHealth application for informal carers concerning the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a need analysis survey. BMC health services research, 24(1), 930. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11273-9
4. Li, Y. Q., Yin, Z. H., Zhang, X. Y., Chen, Z. H., Xia, M. Z., Ji, L. X., & Liang, F. R. (2022). Non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 1039752. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1039752
5. Yin, Z., Li, Y., Bao, Q., Zhang, X., Xia, M., Zhong, W., Wu, K., Yao, J., Chen, Z., Sun, M., Zhao, L., & Liang, F. (2024). Comparative efficacy of multiple non-pharmacological interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International journal of mental health nursing, 33(3), 487–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13254
6. Lv, X., Zhao, M., Li, T., Yuan, C., Zhang, H., Pu, C., Li, Z., Zhang, N., Yu, X., & Wang, H. (2021). Effects of an Enhanced Training on Primary Care Providers Knowledge, Attitudes, Service and Skills of Dementia Detection: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Frontiers in neurology, 12, 651826. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.651826
7. Yang, Y. Y., Hsiao, C. H., Chang, Y. J., Ma, S. C., & Wang, J. J. (2022). Exploring dementia care competence of nurses working in acute care settings. Journal of clinical nursing, 31(13-14), 1972–1982. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15190
8. Surr, C. A., Parveen, S., Smith, S. J., Drury, M., Sass, C., Burden, S., & Oyebode, J. (2020). The barriers and facilitators to implementing dementia education and training in health and social care services: a mixed-methods study. BMC health services research, 20(1), 512. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05382-4
9.Zhao, Y., Liu, L., & Chan, H. Y. (2021). Dementia care education interventions on healthcare providers' outcomes in the nursing home setting: A systematic review. Research in nursing & health, 44(6), 891–905. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22180
Sigma Membership
Alpha Epsilon
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Competence, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary, Dementia Symptom Management, Undergraduate Healthcare and Allied Health Students
Recommended Citation
Adewuyi, Modupe; Li, Joy; Blay, Debbie; and Ohaya, Ifeoma Falilatu, "Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia Management: Learning Experiences of Healthcare and Allied Students" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 91.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/91
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia Management: Learning Experiences of Healthcare and Allied Students
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the U.S., with expected cases rising from 6.7 million to about 13.8 million by 2060 [1]. Over 90% of individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias (Pw-ADRD) experience behavioral symptoms such as agitation [1]. Studies have shown that these symptoms are positively correlated with functional and cognitive impairment, leading to earlier placement in nursing homes, hospitalizations, and increased caregiver burden [2-3]. Non-pharmacological interventions have been shown to be effective in preventing and managing those symptoms [4-5]. However, many healthcare and allied professionals lack the knowledge and skills to implement these interventions effectively, resulting in suboptimal care for Pw-ADRD and their family caregivers [6-7]. The need for healthcare and allied professionals to acquire the necessary competence is well established in the literature [8-9].
Purpose: To explore the experience of undergraduate final year healthcare and allied health students in acquiring knowledge and skills to prevent and manage dementia behavioral symptoms effectively.
Design: Qualitative design
Method: A purposive sample of 21 final year healthcare and allied health students participated in three virtual 60-90-minute focus group sessions (6-7 per group) about their knowledge and skills acquisition of dementia-related behavioral symptoms and associated non-pharmacological preventative and management strategies. The focus group session also explored their experience in interdisciplinary role in managing the symptoms and their use of digital learning resources. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Limited interprofessional and experiential learning opportunities, with observation-based learning being the frequent approach, (2) Lack of adequate knowledge and skills, (3) Low self-confidence, and (4) Lack of digital learning resources. The findings highlight the deficit in adequate learning resources and coverage for students' acquisition of knowledge and skills around dementia-related behavioral symptoms and management.
Conclusion: The findings provide insight into the insufficiency of observation-based learning in equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills. Improved interprofessional experiential learning opportunities are needed to prepare future healthcare professionals to manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms.
Description
Around 90% of persons with dementia experience behavioral symptoms which have a devastating impact on them. Our study explored healthcare and allied students' knowledge and skills acquisition for managing these symptoms. Findings revealed that limited interprofessional and experiential learning opportunities contribute to students' lack of knowledge and skills and low self-confidence. Improved educational approaches are needed to better prepare future healthcare providers in this vital area.