Abstract
In living with dementia, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, psychosis, and abnormal motor symptoms have a severe impact on wellbeing. In Scotland, general practitioners play an important part in addressing this in the community, with the specialised input of older-adults’ psychiatrists.
However, GPs do not always have easy access to these professionals, and in remote and rural regions may have none. The number of people living with dementia is increasing, GP numbers are falling, and there is a shortage of consultant psychiatrists. Thus, support for people affected by these experiences is likely to be sub-optimal at times.
This study examined a novel approach to the issue in the Shetland Islands, where there is currently no permanently- employed consultant psychiatrist. Instead, advanced practice specialist dementia nurses (operating with remote input from a consultant older-adults’ psychiatrist on the Scottish mainland) provide expert specialist support to people living with dementia, and other professionals.
Realist Evaluation methodology was used in collecting, analysing and interpreting data from the interviewing of health and social care managers, professionals, and the family carers of people living with dementia.
Findings showed that, overall, this nurse-led approach is both effective and efficient. Key prerequisites for success include; high levels of specialist nursing expertise and skills, acting autonomously with remote consultant psychiatrist support when required, responding to challenging situations speedily, and embedding practice within communities by seeing people at home.
It is suggested that this approach could be utilised more widely as a valid means of addressing contemporary workforce challenges in this field.
However, GPs do not always have easy access to these professionals, and in remote and rural regions may have none. The number of people living with dementia is increasing, GP numbers are falling, and there is a shortage of consultant psychiatrists. Thus, support for people affected by these experiences is likely to be sub-optimal at times.
This study examined a novel approach to the issue in the Shetland Islands, where there is currently no permanently- employed consultant psychiatrist. Instead, advanced practice specialist dementia nurses (operating with remote input from a consultant older-adults’ psychiatrist on the Scottish mainland) provide expert specialist support to people living with dementia, and other professionals.
Realist Evaluation methodology was used in collecting, analysing and interpreting data from the interviewing of health and social care managers, professionals, and the family carers of people living with dementia.
Findings showed that, overall, this nurse-led approach is both effective and efficient. Key prerequisites for success include; high levels of specialist nursing expertise and skills, acting autonomously with remote consultant psychiatrist support when required, responding to challenging situations speedily, and embedding practice within communities by seeing people at home.
It is suggested that this approach could be utilised more widely as a valid means of addressing contemporary workforce challenges in this field.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jul 2024 |
| Event | 53rd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology: New Directions in Ageing and the Life Course - Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom Duration: 3 Jul 2024 → 5 Jul 2024 https://www.britishgerontology.org/events-and-courses/past-conferences/2024-newcastle-university |
Conference
| Conference | 53rd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | BSG Annual Conference 2024 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Newcastle |
| Period | 3/07/24 → 5/07/24 |
| Internet address |