J Korean Gerontol Nurs.  2021 May;23(2):140-153. 10.17079/jkgn.2021.23.2.140.

Dementia-Specialized Educational Needs for Employees of Dementia-related Institutions in South Korea and Future Directions for Improvement

• Jung S
• Song JA
• Cheon H
• Kim J

• KMID: 2540554
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17079/jkgn.2021.23.2.140

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to explore dementia-specialized education and the training needs of employees from various dementia-related institutions in South Korea and propose directions for future development of the standard curriculum.
Methods
Qualitative data were generated from four round-table meetings with 44 participants recruited from the metropolitan centers for dementia (N=12), regional dementia-relief centers (N=15), long-term care settings (N=7), and public long-term care hospitals (N=10). Each meeting was held for about 120 minutes, and participants discussed the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for their job, satisfactory and non-satisfactory experiences of education programs they had participated in, and what should improve. All contents discussed in each meeting were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a conventional content-analysis method.
Results
Eight categories and 19 subcategories emerged under the three themes of (a) educational contents recognized as necessary, (b) advantages and disadvantages of completed dementia education, and (c) directions for improving educational programs for employees of dementia-related institutions.
Conclusion
Dementia-specialized education and training should be standardized and structured systematically and differently depending on the job characteristics, type, and required level of expertise. Communication with and attitudes toward patients with dementia is re-emphasized as a common content regardless of occupation and institution; thus, sufficient training time should be secured. Qualified instructors and various platforms are also necessary to effectively deliver quality education.

Keyword

치매; 치매 관련기관 종사자; 종사자 교육; Dementia; Health personnel; Education