Development of a Rural and Remote Dementia Training Framework

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rural Health
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Dementia training is crucial for the rural and remote health and aged care workforce.
• Existing training may not adequately address the unique challenges faced in rural and remote settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive framework for designing and delivering dementia training tailored to the rural and remote health and aged care workforce in Australia.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase mixed-method study was conducted.
• Phase 1 involved a scoping review of barriers and enablers to dementia training in rural and remote areas.
• Phase 2 included semi-structured focus groups and a national survey with 625 participants across all Australian states and territories.

Main Results:

• The study identified three overarching key principles for dementia training.
• Seven actionable practices were developed for designing and delivering dementia education.
• These findings are specific to the needs of the rural and remote health and aged care workforce.

Conclusions:

• The developed Rural and Remote Dementia Training Framework provides practical guidance.
• It assists employers, training providers, and professional organizations in creating effective dementia training programs.
• The framework ensures training meets the specific needs of the Australian rural and remote health and aged care workforce.