Dementia knowledge, attitudes and training needs of speech – language pathology students and practitioners : a countrywide study

Abstract

Background: Due to dementia-related communication difficulties, speech–language pathologists (SLPs) play a significant role in supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Nevertheless, SLP practitioners may not have received adequate dementia training during their undergraduate programme and skills updating postqualification. Investigating the knowledge, attitudes and training needs of SLP students and practitioners would provide evidence on the need of enhancing training in dementia care and management at both the undergraduate level and through continuous professional development programmes. Aims: To assess the levels of dementia knowledge, attitudes and training needs of SLP students and practitioners. Methods & Procedures: A countrywide survey was conducted with undergraduate students reading for a BSc degree in communication therapy and SLPs currently in practice. Dementia knowledge and attitudes were assessed using the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). Training needs were measured using a three-point Likert scale from a list of topics related to dementia management and care. Quantitative methods were used to analyse the collected data. Outcomes & Results: A total of 49 SLP students (94.2% response rate) and 113 practitioners (57.4% response rate) completed the survey. Although SLP practitioners scored significantly better than students on the ADKS and its constructs, both cohorts showed inadequate knowledge of dementia, in particular dementia risk factors. In general, both SLP students and practitioners showed positive attitudes towards individuals with dementia, even though significant differences were observed.With respect to training needs, SLP practitioners significantly scored less compared with students denoting that, in this cohort, there was the belief that less training in dementia was required. Conclusions & Implications: Although SLPs have an important role to play in the management and care of individuals with dementia, the findings of this study indicated a shortage of in-depth knowledge in this area of practice. This continues to highlight the need of enhancing dementia training programmes through undergraduate curriculum development and continuous professional programmes for skills updating.