DIGITAL TOOLS FOR DELIVERY OF DEMENTIA EDUCATION: INCREASING RURAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR DEMENTIA CARE
Date
2022-08-30
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0002-3512-0876
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
This dissertation contributes to knowledge on digital and remote methods of dementia education, which are methods that are accessible for rural residents. Education for informal caregivers (who are typically unpaid family members) may improve caregiver well being, increase self-efficacy in caregiving, and prolong time at home for persons with dementia, and remote methods make this education accessible for rural dwelling families. Similarly, rural primary care professionals face challenges in dementia care related to unique aspects of rural living, such as work isolation and reduced access to specialized services and learning opportunities. Provision of continued education to primary care practitioners plays a vital role in improving patient care by reducing knowledge disparities and diagnostic doubt, thereby assisting patients in receiving a timely diagnosis. Over the course of the first two studies, the dissertation will develop an evidence-based delivery strategy for evaluating digitally-delivered dementia education for informal caregivers and rural primary care providers, which that is feasible and acceptable. This evidence will serve as a foundation for the third study, a pilot study for rural primary care providers.
Study 1 investigates and documents technology-based modes of remote dementia education for informal caregivers via a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact on caregivers based on the intervention literature. Study 2 investigates and documents technology-based modes of remote dementia education for healthcare providers via a systematic review, which is used to inform the third study. Study 3 explores feasibility and acceptability of dementia education delivered via a smart phone application with selective reminding (research has shown that education can be enhanced with intermittent prompts to boost use of newly acquired concepts in everyday practice). We postulate that this form of remote education will be flexible (i.e., able to be distributed over shorter time intervals), tailored to care provider needs, and highly accessible.
The dissertation findings will determine a model of dementia education best suited to the needs of rural caregivers (informal and formal) and will be used to determine next steps in developing and piloting of an educational program aimed at the understudied population of rural primary care providers.
Description
Keywords
Dementia education, technology-based, healthcare providers, caregivers, feasibility, acceptability
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Psychology
Program
Psychology