Susan W Hunter1, Alison Divine2. 1. School of Physical Therapy, Elborn College, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. 2. Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
Background: Research suggests healthcare professionals feel uncomfortable or inadequately prepared to provide care to people living with dementia. Importantly, research on the attitudes of physiotherapists toward people with dementia is limited. The objective was to assess personal, educational, and clinical experiences on physiotherapists' attitudes toward working with people with dementia. Methods: An online survey was completed by registered physiotherapists. Data were collected on their dementia knowledge, confidence, and attitudes. Structural equation modeling (SEM) evaluated the factors associated with attitudes of physiotherapists. Results: A total of 231 physiotherapists completed the survey. Participants' scores on knowledge of dementia were excellent. Interactions with people with dementia were positive (67.4%) and access to rehabilitation was important (70.4%). However, most respondents reported a lack of confidence and strategies to successfully deal with cognitive (42.5%) or behavioral (58.3%) symptoms. In the SEM, only education (p = .048) was significantly related to attitude. Specifically, more education was related to more positive attitudes.Conclusions: Scores on knowledge of dementia were high. Yet, most respondents reported reduced confidence from a lack of skills to manage behavioral or cognitive symptoms associated with dementia. More education related to working with people with dementia was significantly related to positive attitudes among physiotherapists.
Background: Research suggests healthcare professionals feel uncomfortable or inadequately prepared to provide care to people living with dementia. Importantly, research on the attitudes of physiotherapists toward people with dementia is limited. The objective was to assess personal, educational, and clinical experiences on physiotherapists' attitudes toward working with people with dementia. Methods: An online survey was completed by registered physiotherapists. Data were collected on their dementia knowledge, confidence, and attitudes. Structural equation modeling (SEM) evaluated the factors associated with attitudes of physiotherapists. Results: A total of 231 physiotherapists completed the survey. Participants' scores on knowledge of dementia were excellent. Interactions with people with dementia were positive (67.4%) and access to rehabilitation was important (70.4%). However, most respondents reported a lack of confidence and strategies to successfully deal with cognitive (42.5%) or behavioral (58.3%) symptoms. In the SEM, only education (p = .048) was significantly related to attitude. Specifically, more education was related to more positive attitudes.Conclusions: Scores on knowledge of dementia were high. Yet, most respondents reported reduced confidence from a lack of skills to manage behavioral or cognitive symptoms associated with dementia. More education related to working with people with dementia was significantly related to positive attitudes among physiotherapists.
Entities:
Keywords:
Attitudes; dementia; physiotherapy; survey and questionnaires
Authors: Shanshan Wang; Qiuju Shan; Daphne Sze Ki Cheung; Xinyi Xu; Isaac Sze Him Leung; Angela Yee Man Leung Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-09-14