An Internet-Based Multimedia Education Prototype to Enhance Late-Stage Dementia Care: Formative Research Results

摘要

The goal of this project was to develop a portable, Internet-based multimedia education program (IBME) to provide a more efficient training resource for direct care workers (DCWs) who care for nursing home residents suffering from late-stage dementia. Thirty-four DCWs from eight nursing homes in eight states completed five post-test open-ended questions and 20 Likert items on the feasibility, strengths, and weaknesses of the IBME prototype. Pre- and post-test surveys also examined whether late-stage dementia care knowledge changed significantly. Over 90% of DCWs “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the IBME prototype improved DCWs’ feelings of competency and everyday care delivery. Open-ended comments offered several suggestions for improvement, including group-based discussion of the modules. Results also found that DCWs’ late-stage dementia care knowledge significantly increased (p < .001) following completion of the IBME modules. The IBME prototype offers an online, ansychronous training strategy to enhance dementia-pertinent knowledge and skills related to everyday care delivery in nursing homes.