PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Behavior problems are common in nursing homes. Current guidelines recommend nonpharmacological interventions (NPHIs) as first-line treatment, but pharmacological regimens (PIs) continue to be used. Given differences in background and training of those who treat behavior problems in residents, we compared attitudes of physicians (MDs), psychologists (PhDs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) concerning PI and NPHI usage as well as knowledge of NPHIs. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and eight MDs, 36 PhDs, and 89 NPs responded to a web-based questionnaire that captured level of agreement with statements concerning treatment of behavior symptoms and familiarity with NPHIs. RESULTS: NPs were the most favorable toward NPHIs. MDs were significantly more favorable to the use of PIs than were PhDs, with attitudes of NPs falling in between. All felt that NPHI usage should increase and that NPHIs should be implemented before using PIs but also believed that PIs work well for behavior problems. MDs had significantly lower knowledge of NPHIs than PhDs or NPs. Overall, NPHI knowledge was similar for PhDs and NPs, although they differed on their use of specific interventions. IMPLICATIONS: As levels of knowledge and familiarity with NPHIs differed among providers, it is conceivable that all might benefit from training and experience with a wider range of NPHIs. Future studies might evaluate the impact of a uniform understanding of NPHI on communication and teamwork in nursing homes and examine ways to enhance a multidisciplinary approach that would allow for the tailoring and individualization that is required of successful interventions.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Behavior problems are common in nursing homes. Current guidelines recommend nonpharmacological interventions (NPHIs) as first-line treatment, but pharmacological regimens (PIs) continue to be used. Given differences in background and training of those who treat behavior problems in residents, we compared attitudes of physicians (MDs), psychologists (PhDs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) concerning PI and NPHI usage as well as knowledge of NPHIs. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and eight MDs, 36 PhDs, and 89 NPs responded to a web-based questionnaire that captured level of agreement with statements concerning treatment of behavior symptoms and familiarity with NPHIs. RESULTS: NPs were the most favorable toward NPHIs. MDs were significantly more favorable to the use of PIs than were PhDs, with attitudes of NPs falling in between. All felt that NPHI usage should increase and that NPHIs should be implemented before using PIs but also believed that PIs work well for behavior problems. MDs had significantly lower knowledge of NPHIs than PhDs or NPs. Overall, NPHI knowledge was similar for PhDs and NPs, although they differed on their use of specific interventions. IMPLICATIONS: As levels of knowledge and familiarity with NPHIs differed among providers, it is conceivable that all might benefit from training and experience with a wider range of NPHIs. Future studies might evaluate the impact of a uniform understanding of NPHI on communication and teamwork in nursing homes and examine ways to enhance a multidisciplinary approach that would allow for the tailoring and individualization that is required of successful interventions.
Authors: H-J Gertz; G Stoppe; B Müller-Oerlinghausen; L G Schmidt; C Baethge; C Hiemke; K Lieb; T Bschor Journal: Nervenarzt Date: 2013-03 Impact factor: 1.214
Authors: Ann Kolanowski; Richard H Fortinsky; Margaret Calkins; Davangere P Devanand; Elizabeth Gould; Tamar Heller; Nancy A Hodgson; Helen C Kales; Jeffrey Kaye; Constantine Lyketsos; Barbara Resnick; Melanie Schicker; Sheryl Zimmerman Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2018-08-23 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: Willem S Eikelboom; Najoua Lazaar; Rozemarijn L van Bruchem-Visser; Francesco U S Mattace-Raso; Michiel Coesmans; Rik Ossenkoppele; Esther van den Berg; Janne M Papma Journal: Psychogeriatrics Date: 2022-07-10 Impact factor: 2.295