Physiotherapist And Physiotherapy Student Knowledge, Confidence, Attitudes, And Beliefs About Providing Care For People With Dementia: A Mixed‐Methods Systematic Review
Stephen M Quick, David A Snowdon, Katherine Lawler, Sze_Ee Soh, Jennifer L McGinley, Michele L Callisaya- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
Background
Clinical care for people with dementia as a primary diagnosis, or as a co‐morbidity, can be complex. Physiotherapists play a key role in the care of people living with dementia in multiple settings. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and confidence of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students when working with people living with dementia.
Methods
This was a mixed‐methods systematic review that included qualitative and quantitative studies. Participants were physiotherapists working in any clinical specialty (e.g. gerontology, orthopaedic, neurological), and physiotherapy students who had completed at least 5 weeks of clinical placement. The phenomena of interest were attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and confidence when working with people with dementia in any setting. Eleven databases were searched. Data synthesis followed a convergent integrated approach according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews.
Results
Fifteen studies were included (9 quantitative and 6 qualitative studies). Seven key themes evolved. Five related to the belief that (1) working with people with dementia is complex and challenging; (2) opportunities for education in dementia care are lacking; (3) working with people with dementia is a specialized area of practice; (4) there are unsupportive systems for working with people with dementia; and (5) people with dementia deserve rehabilitation, but their potential to improve is less certain. One theme related to knowledge (lack of knowledge in some areas of dementia care), and one theme related to confidence (lack of confidence in working with people with dementia).
Discussion/Conclusion
Physiotherapists and physiotherapy students have low levels of knowledge and confidence in areas including cognition, communication and management of behavioural symptoms. Given that higher levels of knowledge and confidence may be associated with more positive attitudes and beliefs, dementia education needs of physiotherapists at all levels needs to be addressed.