Raising awareness of research evidence among health professionals delivering dementia care: Are knowledge translation workshops useful?

Authors

Belinda J. Goodenough, University of WollongongFollow
Richard Fleming, University of WollongongFollow
Michael Young, University of New South WalesFollow
Kim Burns, University of New South Wales
Cindy Jones, Griffith University
Fallon M. Forbes, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

110279

Publication Details

Goodenough, B., Fleming, R., Young, M., Burns, K., Jones, C. & Forbes, F. (2017). Raising awareness of research evidence among health professionals delivering dementia care: Are knowledge translation workshops useful?. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 38 (4), 392-406.

Abstract

Providing information about the latest research via educational sessions to health professionals caring for people with dementia may be insufficient to drive change. This project explored self-reported impacts on practice change of adding information about knowledge translation (KT) to a national dementia education program. Six national workshop days were held. Each provided the option of participating in a Principles of KT and innovation implementation seminar in addition to a clinical topic update (sexualities and dementia, or managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia). Six months postworkshop, 321 participants were invited to complete a research utilization survey. Seventy-five responded. KT seminar participants were more likely to report instrumental outcomes (e.g. changed policies, procedures) than those who did not participate in the KT seminar. Including KT information in educational sessions for health professionals may increase the likelihood of practice change in the field of dementia care and warrants further research.