< Back to previous page

Project

Improving advance care planning for people with dementia in Flemish nursing homes: ‘we DECide optimised’

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) is the communication process of preparing care choices, in anticipation of the moment that persons no longer have decision making capacity. Therefore, ACP is essential in the case of dementia. Only a minority of people suffering from dementia in Flemish nursing homes have discussed their end-of-life choices. Nursing home staff are key figures in the ACP process. This process is closely related to the three-step model for shared decision making (SDM). Implementing SDM requires training at both a clinical and an organizational level.

Aims

The goal of this research is to assess the effect of ‘we DECide Optimised’, a communication training for healthcare professionals in Discussing End-of-life Choices with persons suffering from dementia and their families in Flemish nursing homes. The training package addresses the implementation of ACP through the transfer of knowledge (model of SDM), skills (communication techniques) and competencies (engaging informal caregivers).

Methods

The study aims at training at least 328 participants in 82 nursing wards. Qualitative and quantitative measurements will be conducted using a pretest-posttest design while operationalizing the RE-AIM framework for evaluation. The primary outcome will be the level of SDM in ACP discussions (OPTION-scale). Secondary outcomes are participants’ self-perceptions on the importance, frequency and competency of using ACP, the level at which informal caregivers are engaged and the level of support from management staff in promoting ACP.

Results

This implementation study examines the effect of ’we DECide Optimised’ on the use of SDM in ACP conversations. Results are expected early 2018. A pilot study showed promising outcomes.

Date:30 Mar 2015 →  Today
Keywords:Dementia, Advance Care Planning, Shared Decision Making, Communication Skills training
Disciplines:Education systems, Psychiatry and psychotherapy, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Clinical and counselling psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences
Project type:PhD project