Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c47g7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T07:50:38.793Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Training needs for dementia care in China from the perspectives of mental health providers: who, what, and how

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 December 2017

Ling Xu ,
Hsin-Yi Hsiao ,
Wenchen Denq  and
Iris Chi
Ling Xu*
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
Hsin-Yi Hsiao
Affiliation:
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Wenchen Denq
Affiliation:
Luskin School of Public Affair, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Iris Chi
Affiliation:
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Ling Xu, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. Phone: 518-698-1372; Fax: 817-272-3939. Email: lingxu@uta.edu.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Acknowledging increasing demand of dementia care for patients in China, this paper aims to understand the training needs of dementia care from the perspectives of mental health providers by examining who should be the trainees, what should be the contents of training, and how to deliver the training in China.

Methods:

Using purposive sampling, data were gathered via four focus group discussions with 40 mental health providers in Beijing, China, in 2011. Data were transcribed by independent investigators and then translated into English. Researchers used content analysis to separately identify themes and codes. Discrepancies were discussed until final agreement achieved.

Results:

To improve the quality of dementia care, all participants agreed there is a significant need to train both formal or professional (physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, community workers) and informal caregivers (family, friends, or non-kin hired caregivers). For formal or professional caregivers, suggested training content included clinical knowledge of dementia (i.e. pathogenesis, approaches for preventing dementia deterioration) and clinical practice skills (i.e. diagnostic, treatment, caregiving, counseling, communicating skills). For informal caregivers, basic dementia knowledge and home-based caregiving skills such as safety, restorative, stress management, and communication were identified as key training contents. Multilevel support from the government and community centers were considered crucial factors to delivering the training and educating the public to enhance awareness of dementia.

Conclusions:

Culturally, sensitive education and specific trainings for formal and informal dementia caregivers are urgently needed in China. Policy and program implications are discussed.

Keywords

training needsdementia carecaregiversChinese older adults
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 30 , Issue 7: Issue Theme: Benzodiazepines and Hypnotics , July 2018 , pp. 929 - 940
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beer, C. et al. (2011). Development and evaluation of an educational intervention for general practitioners and staff caring for people with dementia living in residential facilities. International Psychogeriatrics, 23, 221–229. doi: 10.1017/S104161021000195X.Google Scholar
Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101. doi: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.Google Scholar
Chang, D. F. and Kleinman, A. (2002). Growing pains: mental health care in a developing China. Yale-China Health Journal, 1, 85–98.Google Scholar
Chapman, A. and Law, S. (2009). Bridging the gap: an innovative dementia learning program for healthcare assistants in hospital wards using facilitator-led discussions. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, S58–S63. doi: 10.1017/S1041610209008680.Google Scholar
Chen, R., Lang, L., Clifford, A., Chen, Y., Hu, Z. and Han, T. S. (2016). Demographic and socio-economic influences on community-based care and caregivers of people with dementia in China. JRSM Cardiovascular Disease, 5, 1–15. doi: 10.1177/2048004016652314.Google Scholar
Cheng, S. and Yang, S. (2009). The methods and effect of training for caregivers of Alzheimer patients. Journal of Nursing Administration, 9, 58–62.Google Scholar
Cherry, D. L., Hahn, C. and Vickrey, B. G. (2009). Educating primary care physicians in the management of Alzheimer's disease: using practice guidelines to set quality benchmarks. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, S44–S52. doi: 10.1017/S1041610209008692.Google Scholar
Connell, C. M., Boise, L., Stuckey, J. C., Holmes, S. B. and Hudson, M. L. (2004). Attitudes toward the diagnosis and disclosure of dementia among family caregivers and primary care physicians. Gerontologist, 44, 500–507. doi: 10.1093/geront/44.4.500.Google Scholar
Ding, Q. J. and Hesketh, T. (2006). Family size, fertility preferences, and sex ratio in China in the era of the one child family policy: results from national family planning and reproductive health survey. BMJ, 333, 371–373. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38775.672662.80.Google Scholar
Eggenberger, E., Heimerl, K. and Bennett, M. I. (2013). Communication skills training in dementia care: a systematic review of effectiveness, training content, and didactic methods in different care settings. International Psychogeriatrics, 25, 345–358. doi: 10.1017/S1041610212001664.Google Scholar
Fleming, R. and FitzGerald, D. (2009). Large-scale training in the essentials of dementia care in Australia: dementia care skills for aged care workers project. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, S53–S57. doi: 10.1017/S1041610209008722.Google Scholar
Gould, E. and Reed, P. (2009). Alzheimer's association quality care campaign and professional training initiatives: improving hands-on care for people with dementia in the U.S.A. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, S25–S33. doi: 10.1017/S1041610209008758.Google Scholar
Han, W., Zhang, X., Wang, Y. and Yang, L. (2007). An investigation of training content and approaches for paid caregivers in caring dementia patients. Nursing Journal of China PLA, 24 (8A), 41–45.Google Scholar
Hsiao, H. Y., Liu, Z., Xu, L., Huang, Y. and Chi, I. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices for patients with dementia among mental health providers in China: city and town differences. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 37, 342–358. doi: 10.1080/02701960.2014.990152.Google Scholar
Kalaria, R. N. et al. (2008). Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in developing countries: prevalence, management, and risk factors. Lancet Neurology, 7, 812–826. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70169-8.Google Scholar
Knight, G. P., Roosa, M. W. and Umaña-Taylor, A. J. (2009). Studying Ethnic Minority and Economically Disadvantaged Populations. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Google Scholar
Kovach, C. R. and Krejci, J. W. (1998). Facilitating change in dementia care: staff perceptions. Journal of Nursing Administration, 28, 17–27. doi: 10.1097/00005110-199805000-00004.Google Scholar
Li, Z. J. and Ke, X. Q. (2010). Senile Dementia, 1st edn. Beijing, China: China Medical Science and Technology Press.Google Scholar
Liu, J., Wang, L. N. and Tan, J. P. (2013). Dementia in China: current status. Neurology, 81, 1077–1078. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a4a3cb.Google Scholar
MacDonald, C. J., Stodel, E. J., Farres, L. G., Breithaupt, K. and Gabriel, M. A. (2001). The demand-driven learning model: a framework for web-based learning. Internet and Higher Education, 4, 9–30. doi: 10.1016/S1096-7516(01)00045-8.Google Scholar
Ni, Y. et al. (2013). The effect of training dementia caregivers on caregiving safety. Shanghai Nursing, 13, 39–42. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Robinson, B. E., Barry, P. P., Renick, N., Bergen, M. R. and Stratos, G. A. (2001). Physician confidence and interest in learning more about common geriatric topics: a needs assessment. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 49, 963–967. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49188.x.Google Scholar
Song, Y. and Wang, J. (2010). Overview of Chinese research on senile dementia in mainland China. Ageing Research Reviews, 9, 6–12.Google Scholar
Splaine, M. (2008). Campaign advocacy in brief: dementia care policy strategies and recommendations. Alzheimer's Care Today, 9, 145–146. doi: 10.1097/01.ALCAT.0000317198.13074.c8.Google Scholar
Tan, X., Lin, C. and Zhao, L. (2010). Early intervention and the quality of life for older adults with dementia. Shanghai Nursing, 27, 176–178.Google Scholar
Wang, H. (2012). Country's mental health services lacking. China Daily. Available at: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2012-05/16/content_15307682.htm; last accessed 30 November 2017.Google Scholar
Wang, J. and Zhang, J. (2009). Investigation and analysis on the health education demand in caregivers of senile dementia patients. China Journal of Modern Nursing, 15, 3846–3848.Google Scholar
Yang, X. et al. (2005). An investigation on demands of caretakers for looking after dementia patients in family. Chinese Nursing Research, 19, 1991–1996. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Zimmer, Z. and Kwong, J. (2003). Family size and support of older adults in urban and rural China: current effects and future implications. Demography, 40, 23–44. doi: 10.1353/dem.2003.0010.Google Scholar