Abstract
Background
Mealtime difficulties are exacerbated in acute care settings, which further complicate
health issues in people with dementia (PWD). Understanding staff knowledge and attitudes
is crucial for providing better care for PWD in nursing home settings. However, little
is known about the knowledge and attitudes of acute care staff in assisting dementia
patients during mealtimes.
Aim
To explore the knowledge and attitudes of acute care staff in assisting dementia patients
during mealtimes.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study between August and December 2020 at three acute
care hospitals in Illawarra region, New South Wales, Australia. Surveys were distributed
to nursing staff including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nurse assistants,
who worked in geriatric wards. Medical practitioners and casual staff were excluded
from the survey. Demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward mealtime
assistance of PWD were included in the survey.
Findings
A higher level of knowledge in mealtime assistance of PWD was found to be associated
with positive attitudes toward mealtime assistance of PWD (r = 0.464, p < 0.001). No differences were found between educational levels and knowledge and
attitudes of mealtime assistance for PWD.
Discussion
The need for mealtime assistance training to enhance knowledge of and attitudes toward
assisting PWD during mealtimes is highlighted and needs more attention. Future studies
could consider including a simulation training program and adopting a mealtime engagement
scale to provide training and assess changes in nursing staff knowledge of and attitudes
toward mealtime assistance for PWD in acute care settings.
Conclusions
The study findings can inform future research in raising awareness of the need for
and developing mealtime assistance training programs for nursing staff in acute care
settings.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 07, 2022
Accepted:
July 22,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 9,
2022
Received:
April 26,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
