Preparing for the Next Healthcare Crisis: An Exploration of Student-perceived Preparedness to Care for People with Dementia

Abstract

Dementia-specific education is invaluable for improving student nurses' care for a person with dementia and equipping them with a more complete understanding of each person with dementia. The purpose was to explore student perceptions and ideas of their preparedness to provide care for people with dementia in the hospital. This study was a qualitative design consisting of multiple focus groups facilitated by the student investigator. Four focus groups were conducted with students in their final semester of an undergraduate nursing school. Analysis brought forth the following themes: (1) Dementia knowledge, (2) desire for more dementia-specific education, (3) clinical relevancy, (4) poor care for people with dementia observed, and (5) perceived low preparedness by students. Recommendation includes the incorporation of key dementia-specific education such as the Virtual Dementia Tour® into the nursing curriculum to improve perceived preparedness by students and fulfill the students' desire for a more complete education on dementia.