An experiential learning model applied to nurses working with patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Education

Background:

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal, and transmissible neurological prion disease affecting humans and animals.
• The "mad cow disease" epidemic caused public confusion between CJD and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
• Healthcare providers often lack adequate knowledge and feel unprepared to manage CJD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a workshop on CJD for nurses and healthcare providers.
• To address knowledge gaps and improve care for patients with CJD and their families.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Kolb's experiential teaching/learning model as a framework.
• Developed a complementary workbook for participants.
• Engaged fifteen healthcare providers from the Alzheimer Society of Canada's Dementia Network.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated limited prior knowledge of CJD.
• The workshop significantly increased participants' insights and knowledge regarding CJD.
• Participants reported feeling better prepared and more comfortable managing CJD patients.

Conclusions:

• An experiential teaching/learning model is effective for enhancing healthcare provider knowledge and skills in managing rare diseases like CJD.
• The workshop fostered reflective practice and idea exchange for tailored patient interventions.
• Improved education is crucial for quality care delivery to CJD patients and their families.