Dementia care boot camp: interprofessional education for healthcare students

Dementia prevalence is increasing exponentially and has a profound effect on individuals diagnosed as well as their family caregivers. Dementia care should be patient focused, not task or medically oriented. Patient-centered dementia care requires more staff time, is complex, and, as a result, financially threatens the healthcare system. Therefore, professionals must be prepared to meet the needs of this growing population. The aims of this mixed methods study were to examine the effect of a 16-h interprofessional program on healthcare students' dementia knowledge, attitudes toward people with dementia, confidence for dementia care and empathy, and to understand the relationships among the listed variables. Nursing, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy, and psychology students participated in a 16-h team-based learning Dementia Care Bootcamp. Students reported significant improvements in dementia attitudes and knowledge, confidence for dementia care and empathy immediately after Bootcamp and 3 months later. Significant relationships among listed variables were noted. Qualitative data complemented the quantitative findings. In addition, the concept of dementia care competency emerged. Students recognized the benefits of learning about, with and from others from diverse professions. Interprofessional education has great potential to improve students' ability to care for people with dementia.