Dementia Knowledge among Healthcare Professionals - Literature review Example

Dementia Knowledge among Healthcare Professionals By Student’s Name Course Code + Name Professor Institution Date It is reported that with the raising high life expectancy population the rate of patients with dementia is likely to raise on acute hospital wards. Results of these findings are indicated in this article from Masters Study (Ballard, 2005) it seeks to analyze the familiarity, perception and the effect on nurses within hospital wards that are responsible for dementia affected patients in the general hospitals. In theoretical research and to come up with a questionnaire, ‘Kitwoods maliant social psychology ‘and ‘person-centered approach’ was employed and hence disseminated to nurses to apply them. The outcomes concerning the nurse’s familiarity and perception regarding people with dementia were discussed, and its effect for the sake of training and education in future for the nurses was obtained (Fessey, 2007). Koenig et al (2014) evaluated the past, prevailing and future developments in the mental health care in Saudi Arabia. In the case of past studies we look at how mental health was undertaken, we evaluate early treatments and look at how the early hospital was established in 1950s .It is important to bear in mind that this laid way for the modern era, and it focuses on a lifespan in the past over 60 years. The prevailing is basically looked at in terms of the existing requirements for mental health care depending on the problems experienced or commonness in the Kingdom of Saudi. The family is also a key area of interest especially how they are involved in taking care of the affected in today’s world. The third and final area to look at is the future of mental health care, here we explore how the current education in place will influence the next generation of professionals in this field, the areas that require adjustments and improvements and come up with guide for development of health care systems in KSA. The main goal was to come up with a very comprehensive and modern blue print that will be a prototypical to other nations in the region considering the cultural, political, and religious elements unique in this region. Annear & Mcinerney (2014) observed that people having dementia around the globe are increasing in a fast rate. Commensurate with the ageing population in Australia and its considerations on nursing homes (residential ageing care centers), for people having dementia is at high growth rate. Dementia being a terminal situation, it is well managed and controlled through instituting a soothing approach towards care. The closest people living with those having dementia need proper knowledge about dementia which includes management and progression. This is important in delivering the appropriate care needed and making sound decisions. Unfortunately the, the available information about the levels of dementia is limited. Annear &M cinerney (2014) conducted a study on the knowledge about dementia in two cohorts and eveulated the knowledge between the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool. Their study captures responses from 279 members of staff and 164 family members of old patients who had dementia (Annear &M cinerney, 2014). In their research, there was evidence that there are enormous gaps in dementia knowledge in the two groups. Annear &Mcinerney (204) thus emphasized that it is important that the knowledge on deficits of dementia be identified and addressed to support the evidence-based on the dementia care. Low and Anstey (2009) acknowledge that in Australia and all over the world dementia is serious growing health condition. Minor researches have been done in the community about the understanding of dementia. The study aimed at investigating prognosis beliefs and dementia recognition, reductions of the risk and the cause in the republic of Australia. The cross-sectional telephone survey involved a population of 2,000 participants who were randomly picked community-dwelling adults. This study reported that 82% of the people who participated in the study effectively distinguished the Alzheimer’s or dementia from vignette. However, there were barely any differences in the rate of recognition between vignettes describing mild or moderate dementia symptoms. About a half of the respondents felt that somehow affect patients would achieve partial recovery if the receive treatment. Over 80% of the participants stated that old age, genetics, stroke or mini-stroke, and brain disease were the main contributing factors to the development of dementia. 72% thought the risks of dementia can be reduced. In addition frequent risk reduction methods were suggested, they include; physical exercise (30.2%), eating healthy (31.0%), socializing more (13.9%), and mental exercise (38.8%). Also the characteristics of Sociodemographic were linked to the beliefs and knowledge of dementia. Therefore, as Low and Anstey observed, most people in Australia recognized the signs and symptoms of dementia but instead of seeking treatment they believed its risks can be reduced. Most people lack the knowledge of association between cardiovascular and dementia factors. Campaigns on public awareness are required to increase the awareness and accurate knowledge on factors which are consistently connected to dementia. In another study, by Millard, Kennedy &Baune’s (2011), they aimed at measurering the risk factors of dementia, general practitioner (GP), patient’s health knowledge regarding memory problems and practice nurse. Information was collected in smaller samples around England and general practices throughout Australia. Questionnaires explored the adequacy and sources of dementia literacy in addition to randomized controlled trials which examined the measures for reduction of dementia risks pamphlet on the patients’ knowledge on the strategies for reduction of dementia risks. The data was then analyzed by use of SPSS software. They found out that 621questionnaires submitted by patients aged 30 indicated 37% memory concerns, 6% had recollection of undergoing a memory test, 52% would like to undergo a memory test as well as 15% had initially encountered information about dementia from their GP. Patients who received got necessary intervention had considerably increase likelihood of being informed about dementia minimization strategies. Although only 21% of the participants show possession of adequate dementia knowledge, the responses 64% of the 153 nurse/GP questionnaires indicated that they believed that doctors ought to discuss their patients’ dementia risks. The healthcare workers in bot England and Australia show that they share equal level of awareness and knowledge on dementia. The result also indicated that the frequency of documentation of Mini-Mental State Examination and the dementia diagnosis in the computerized medical accounted for few patients aged 75 years. These findings indicated that adult patients that attended GPs associates dementia memory loss. They were open to new knowledge on risk minimizations, and had minor memory concerns. Most of the nurses and their respective general practitioners rate their knowledge in dementia as inadequate, with a hand full discussing with their patients about dementia or testing for problems associated with the memory. While acknowledging the importance of knowledge about dementia, Millard et al (2011) intimidated that a specific diagnosis for SD would give enough time for the patient to plan and strategize steps required to slow down and reduce the damage of the mental state and the brain, physically and emotionally prepare the individual to live with SD. Even though the ultimate AD diagnosis can be achieved only through the means of post-mortem of the brain tissue, with technological advancements abnormalities such as memory deficits can be detected earlier (Millard et al. 2011). However, Millard et al (2011) acknowledged the challenge to the above desirable stated as being low knowledge about dementia among health professionals such as the acute care nurses. The lack of knowledge is worse in the professional who lack proper training in dementia. Sometimes the health workers appeared to be ignorant. For instance according to Millard et al (2011), in co-morbid assessments patients depressions was evaluated for dementia. Data received from the studies in Australia have it that the testing on formal cognitive is not carried out to the recommended extent. Gandesha, Souza, Chaplin, & Hood (2012) had similar observations. There noted that individuals having dementia are always admitted to hospitals general wards. Here their condition is usually not recognized thus fail to address the related healthcare issues. In their study which focused on examining the staffs view on the training given in caring and assessing admitted people in hospitals having dementia. Gandesha, Souza, Chaplin, & Hood (2012) reported the findings of the National Audit of Dementia (Care within the General Hospitals). The completed questionnaires by the staff reported on the sufficiency of the training they all received in 13main sections in relation to dementia care. The study findings were corresponding to the other conducted studies in this concept. Gandesha, Souza, Chaplin, & Hood (2012) indicated that unlike HCAs or nurses doctors had the feeling of being more and adequately trained. Nurses on the surgical/orthopedic and medical wards felt their training compared to their colleagues working on wards for care of older people was insufficient. The authors sum up that HCAs and nurses who work in wards that do not specialize in older peoples care should be given additional training in the area of dementia care. Spector, Orrell, Schepers and Shanahan also asserted that the knowledge regarding dementia management is crucial in establishing levels of literacy and identifying areas having misinformation. This guides the interventions and educational programmes available. They undertook a three-step literature hunt which aimed at identifying the measures of literacy in dementia. A framework evaluation was employed in articulation of the quality indicators for. A proper evaluation outline was adopted. The framework was adopted to determine the indicators of quality of the psychometric attributes of measures, depending on theses measures’ development and application in studies. Spector, Orrell, Schepers and Shanahan identified measures were five; University of Alabama Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test for Health Professionals (UAB-ADKT, Barrett et al., 1997), Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS, Carpenter et al., 2009), Dementia Quiz (DQ, Gilleard and Groom, 1994), Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test (ADKT, Dieckmann et al., 1988), and Knowledge of Aging and Memory Loss and Care (KAML-C, Kuhn et al., 2005). All these measures adhered to one consistent process of scale creation having popularly acceptable validity and reliability. Most of the studies relied on the measures of populations over target samples, without the re-establishment of the psychometric scales properties. In addition to all this measures, they come with limitations. The limitations include limited scope, weaknesses within psychometric properties, and being outdated. Although ADKT has establishments on the psychometric properties and at one time was suited to the international use, some of its items are obsolete. The position of ADKS is an update of ADKT, and yet failed to be exploited beyond the original study. DQ is the most appropriate for in the cases of family care. Furthermore all the measures need to be updated periodically; this helps in keeping up with the pace of dementia expanding field. Also, more robust and knowledge on contemporary measures are required Discussion Dementia is a disease that affects the brain and causes an individual’s memory and affects their ability to think, gradually making it difficult to partake normal functions. It is a serious health condition as it has implications on the person suffering, families and friends (World Health Organisation, 2016). This condition becomes progressive in the long term making the person depend almost entirely on others care in their daily functions. The condition affects all individuals but is prevalent among older persons or as people continues aging. This condition is projected to grow in the future and is regarded to be a major consequence of the aging population. According to age considerations given that women are experiencing a long life expectancy than their male counterparts, in this case it is not surprising to see this condition affects older female percentage than men who are old (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012). Another big contrast is also observed in the residency. A majority in the cared accommodation have this condition compared to those in the community. If we consider the ages of those staying with the community they are much young compared to the ones those dwelling in nursing homes. The statistics carried out in Australia places men living in cared accommodation to those in the community to be totally different than the case of women. Among those that stayed within the community, males were much lower than female’s very higher rate. Those living in cared accommodation men still were a bit lower compared to women suffering from dementia. Based on the 2009-10 ACFI data, 70% of residents within the health care program that have dementia were women. Dementia affecting younger individuals is much lower than that of the aging individuals.it has also been noted that dementia diagnosed among young ages is frequently misdiagnosed.it has also been observed that dementia as a result of head trauma, alcohol abuse, and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are the common causes young age individuals with dementia. Accessibility is very important as it allows easy access of goods and services to areas they are required. There is a way of examining the difference among people with dementia on the basis of remoteness (World Health Organization 2016). For instance they can be categorized as main cities, inner regions, and outer regions, far-flung and very far-flung. Based on SDAC data 69% of dementia patients are major cities, 22% inner regions and 9% in other areas. From this 74% lived in the communities whereas 66% lived in cared accommodation. There is lack of sufficient national data regarding population living with dementia in Australia. This reason has necessitated collection of local and community based data. Such data collected has indicated that indigenous Australians suffered dementia at an early age compare to the other populations. The level of disability is also another common feature of people with dementia. Information obtained from SDAC can be used to describe such disability; it contains data on the necessity for assistance in different areas such as self-care, movement and communication. The three above are the primary activities of daily life. There is also a four level core of limitations which can be described by persons need for help, difficulty, or requires aids or equipment in order to do the core activities. It can be numbered in severe or profound limitation to indicate need for difficulty hence requiring more help. In profound, the individual always require help with the core activities. Severe the individual may sometimes need help and may have difficulty understanding or being understood by others or may carry out communication better use other means like signs. Co-existing conditions have implications on the excellence of life of person with dementia as well as also complicating their care needs. SDAC and ACFI provide information on the type of conditions experiences by those people with dementia. The number of individual affected by these conditions mainly increased with aging. Lastly a common characteristic of people with dementia need assistance, the type of assistance required is provided based on SDAC data. ACFI also gives the care requirement of the persons aged care facilities. They may require help in either their core activities or non-core activities. Conclusion The evidence that health care professional have limited ability to diagnose dementia is overwhelming. The limited ability is a product of their poor or no training of dementia. There it is necessary to develop training approaches to tach the health workers about dementia References Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012, Dementia in Australia. Cat. no. AGE 70. Canberra: AIHW. Fessey, V. 2007, ‘Patients who present with dementia: exploring the knowledge of hospital nurses’, Nursing Older People, vol. 19, no. 20, p. 29-33. Gandesha, A., R. Souza, R. Chaplin and C. Hood 2012, ‘Adequacy of training in dementia care for acute hospital staff: Aarti Gandesha and colleagues present the results of a national audit to assess how hospital staff from different specialties rated their awareness of the needs of patients with dementia’, Nursing older people, vol. 24, no. 4, pp.26-31. Koenig, H. G., F. Al Zaben, M. G. Sehlo, D. A. Khalifa, M. S. Al Ahwal, N. A. Qureshi and A. A. Al-Habeeb 2014, ‘Mental health care in Saudi Arabia: Past, present and future’, Open Journal of Psychiatry, vol.4,no. 02, pp. 113- 130. Low L, Anstey K: Dementia literacy 2009, ‘Recognition and beliefs on dementia of the Australian public’, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, vol. 5, pp. 43–49. Millard F, Kennedy L, Baune B 2011, ‘Dementia: opportunities for risk reduction and early detection in general practice’, Australian Journal of Primary Health, vol.17, pp. 89–94. Robinson, A., C. Eccleston, M. Annear, K.-E. Elliott, S. Andrews, C. Stirling, M. Ashby, C. Donohue, S. Banks and C. Toye 2014, ‘Who knows, who cares? Dementia knowledge among nurses, care workers, and family members of people living with dementia’, Journal of palliative care, vol.30, no. 3, pp. 158-165. Spector A, Orrell M, Schepers A, Shanahan N 2012, ‘ A systematic review of 'knowledge of dementia' outcome measures. Ageing Research Reviews, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 67–77. World Health Organisation 2016. Mental Health and Older Adults. World Health Organisation Factsheet, Reviewed on 28 July 2016, < http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs381/en/>. Read More