Understanding interaction in problematic dementia and social care encounters: Protocol for a micro-level study...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Dementia care workers' actions are crucial for resident well-being, providing essential healthcare and psycho-social support.
• Care worker interactions can improve well-being in advanced dementia and potentially reduce the need for antipsychotic medication.
• Micro-level analysis of specialized dementia care interactions is lacking, hindering effective training development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a detailed micro-exploration of challenging interactions between dementia care workers and people living with dementia.
• To understand the 'how' of micro-level interactions in dementia care settings.
• To inform the development of more effective, real-world-relevant training interventions for care workers.

Main Methods:

• A video-based observational study utilizing video-ethnography.
• Naturalistic observation conducted in 5 UK-based dementia care settings (residential and day care).
• Data analysis using Conversation Analysis (CA) on interactions involving up to 20 care staff and 60 people with dementia.

Main Results:

• Detailed micro-analysis of challenging dementia care interactions is presented.
• Insights into the specific communication dynamics during difficult care encounters.
• Identification of key interactional features that impact patient well-being and care outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding micro-level interactional processes is vital for effective dementia care.
• Findings can guide the creation of targeted training programs for dementia care workers.
• Improved understanding of interactions can enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia.