Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2025
04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
4.1K
Knowledge, confidence, and behavioral changes after an Alzheimer's disease continuing education program for nurse
Patty Scalzo1, Carolyn Clevenger2, Valerie Cotter3
1American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Austin, Texas.
Summary
A continuing education program significantly improved nurse practitioners' knowledge and confidence in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ongoing education is crucial for addressing persistent gaps and barriers in AD care for the growing patient population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions, with suboptimal current management.
- Knowledge and practice gaps exist among healthcare providers regarding AD diagnosis and treatment.
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners developed a continuing education (CE) program to address these gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a continuing education (CE) program on nurse practitioners' (NPs) knowledge, competence, and confidence in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- To assess the retention of CE material and behavior changes through qualitative follow-up interviews.
Main Methods:
- A 1.5-contact hour NP-focused CE program on AD was delivered.
- Pre-activity and post-activity surveys assessed changes in learner knowledge, competence, and confidence.
- Qualitative follow-up interviews were conducted with a subset of participants (n=12).
Main Results:
- The CE activity was associated with significant improvements in knowledge and competence, with a 20-percentage point increase in correct response rates (p < .001).
- Learner confidence in performing key clinical tasks related to AD management also improved.
- Follow-up interviews indicated reinforcement of current practices, though some knowledge gaps persisted.
Conclusions:
- The CE program effectively enhanced NPs' knowledge, competence, and confidence in managing Alzheimer's disease.
- Persistent knowledge gaps and barriers, such as limited access to specialists, highlight the need for ongoing educational interventions.
- Targeted educational initiatives for the NP workforce are essential to meet the needs of the growing population at risk for AD.
More Related Videos
06:28E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
8.2K
07:31A Computerized Functional Skills Assessment and Training Program Targeting Technology Based Everyday Functional Skills
Published on: February 13, 2020
6.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
1.4K
The nursing process provides a clinical decision-making framework for patients and families to establish and implement a personalized care plan. Since part of the nurse's duties is to teach patients, the steps of the nursing process are the most effective way to approach instruction. The nursing process and the teaching-learning process are inextricably linked.
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data...
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data...
1.4K
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
342
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
342
01:24Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching II: Planning and Implementation
1.1K
Planning for learning involves the development of a teaching plan. Teaching plans are similar to nursing care plans—both follow the steps of the nursing process. Planning in the teaching process involves setting goals and outcomes. Here, goals identify what a patient needs to achieve to understand a healthcare topic better, whereas the outcomes are the action to be performed by the patient to achieve the goal within a timeframe. For example, if the goal is to educate the patient about...
1.1K
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
133
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
133
01:20Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching III: Evaluation and Documentation
1.6K
Evaluation of the teaching process enables the nurse to determine if the patient's learning needs were met and if training was effective. If the expected outcomes are not met, the care plan is revised, and additional education or reinforcement is provided. Nurses can ask questions after the session or obtain feedback to assess the patient's understanding of the topic.
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning,...
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning,...
1.6K
01:15Nursing Evaluation
3.1K
The evaluation stage signals the end of the nursing process. The nurse gathers evaluative data to assess whether or not the patient has attained the expected results. Whereas the nurse collects data in the nursing assessment to identify the patient's health concerns, the evaluation stage data determines if the indicated health issues are resolved. Evaluative data collection includes two sections: the data acquired to evaluate patient outcomes and the time criteria for data collection.
3.1K