Abstract
Objective: To review the effectiveness of healthcare professionals’ dementia training and consider implications
for policy and practice.
Design: Systematic and policy review
Setting: Healthcare services
Participants: Healthcare professionals
Intervention: Training
Measurements: We searched electronic databases for primary research studies (2015–2024) evaluating dementia
training for healthcare professionals. We assessed risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, prioritising studies scoring 4 + , of interventions supported by Randomised Controlled Trial evidence; reporting
outcomes using Kirkpatrick’s framework. To explore how evidence might translate to practice, using England as
a case study, we reviewed relevant policies and consulted professional stakeholders.
Results: We reviewed 63 primary research studies. One met priority criteria; it evaluated a Train-the-Trainer (TTT),
team-based reflective practice model, which improved primary care nurses’ and doctors’ learning, and self-reported
practice over ≥ 3 months. Higher quality, controlled studies evaluated a TTT programme for hospital staff, improving client outcomes (agitation) over ≤ 5 days; an expert-led two-day interactive training for inpatient nurses that
reduced role strain; and expert-led, nine-week, occupational therapy-derived training programme that improved
retirement community staff strategies for client activity engagement. Sixteen policies and related documents highlighted concerns about limited implementation of the Dementia Core Skills Education and Training Framework
(DCSETF). Eight focus group attendees considered time a limiting factor to evidence implementation, but valued
group training to share experiences; and TTT models to enable tailoring to local contexts.
Conclusions: By increasing reach of dementia training and embedding learning in practice, Train-the-Trainer
models can increase care quality and support evidence-based policy implementation.
for policy and practice.
Design: Systematic and policy review
Setting: Healthcare services
Participants: Healthcare professionals
Intervention: Training
Measurements: We searched electronic databases for primary research studies (2015–2024) evaluating dementia
training for healthcare professionals. We assessed risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, prioritising studies scoring 4 + , of interventions supported by Randomised Controlled Trial evidence; reporting
outcomes using Kirkpatrick’s framework. To explore how evidence might translate to practice, using England as
a case study, we reviewed relevant policies and consulted professional stakeholders.
Results: We reviewed 63 primary research studies. One met priority criteria; it evaluated a Train-the-Trainer (TTT),
team-based reflective practice model, which improved primary care nurses’ and doctors’ learning, and self-reported
practice over ≥ 3 months. Higher quality, controlled studies evaluated a TTT programme for hospital staff, improving client outcomes (agitation) over ≤ 5 days; an expert-led two-day interactive training for inpatient nurses that
reduced role strain; and expert-led, nine-week, occupational therapy-derived training programme that improved
retirement community staff strategies for client activity engagement. Sixteen policies and related documents highlighted concerns about limited implementation of the Dementia Core Skills Education and Training Framework
(DCSETF). Eight focus group attendees considered time a limiting factor to evidence implementation, but valued
group training to share experiences; and TTT models to enable tailoring to local contexts.
Conclusions: By increasing reach of dementia training and embedding learning in practice, Train-the-Trainer
models can increase care quality and support evidence-based policy implementation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | International Psychogeriatrics |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 4 May 2025 |
Bibliographical note
© 2025 The Author(s).Keywords
- Dementia
- training needs
- workforce
- health and social care