Preconceptions, perceptions and preparation for practice: a longitudinal study exploring self-efficacy in undergraduate student nurses caring for persons with dementia
Creators: name: McWhinnie, Hazel Margaret
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: Title of the researchPreconceptions, Perceptions and Preparation for Practice: A Longitudinal Study Exploring Self Efficacy in Undergraduate Student Nurses Caring for Persons with Dementia.BackgroundIn terms of epidemiological impact, dementia has been cited as one of the most significant modern challenges to international public health (Scottish Government, 2013, Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2014, World Health Organisation, 2015, Scottish Government, 2017). Demographic ageing and reduced disease related mortality through healthcare and medical innovation, strategic health promotion and public health improvements have contributed to a globally ageing population, living longer with multiple comorbidities (World Health Organisation, 2012). One of such co-morbidities directly linked to older adulthood is dementia. There is a plethora of research examining dementia care from nursing and social care perspectives but a dearth of research examining ability to deliver dementia care exclusively from the student nurse perspective (Suhonen, Gustafsson, Katajiso et al, 2010, Clissett, Porock, Harwood et al, 2013). There is a need to explore student nurses perceptions of delivering dementia care, their role in care giving and importantly, their ability to deliver such care, as they are soon to be accountable, autonomous practitioners (Koh, 2012, Spector, Orrell and Schepers et al, 2012, Koskinen, Salminen, Stolt et al, 2015).Study Aims• To explore undergraduate student nurse perceptions of dementia care and their role in care delivery.• To examine the influence of theory, skills training and clinical experience on approach to dementia care delivery amongst undergraduate student nurses. • To appraise how dementia training policy directives for pre-registration nurse education is reflected in undergraduate student nurse’s knowledge, skills and readiness for nursing practice.

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of a self-efficacy tool designed to measure attitudes, experiences and perceptions of dementia care in undergraduate student nurses.DesignThe research study is a prospective, longitudinal, mixed methods case study exploring selfefficacy in undergraduate student nurses caring for people with dementia. The ‘case’ under study is the Sept 2014 cohort of undergraduate student nurses at the University of the West of Scotland. MethodsThe psychometric properties of an adapted version of the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (AAPPQ) devised by Cartwright (1980), was adapted, validated and used to measure attitudes, experiences and perceptions of dementia care in undergraduate student nurses. The Dementia and Dementia Care Perceptions Questionnaire (DDCPQ) was used to facilitate understanding of undergraduate student nurses’ self-perceptions of dementia care and their role in care delivery, examining and analysing the influence of theory, skills training and clinical experience on their approach to dementia care delivery and the changes in these perceptions over time. Method triangulation was used in concurrent qualitative data collection and analysis. Utilising the DDCPQ’s original key themes of Role Adequacy, Role Legitimacy and Role Support, focus groups were carried out to further explore the student nurses’ perceptions.Results and Unique Contribution of Study• Conclusions drawn and new insight gained from measurement of the students ‘role adequacy’, ‘role legitimacy’ and the need for ‘role support’ in dementia care and the changes in these over the duration of an undergraduate nursing programme.• Training, experience and knowledge gain has a positive effect on role adequacy and role legitimacy.

• Although attitude scores reduced over the duration of the undergraduate nursing programme, students overall remained positive towards dementia and demonstrated commitment to deliver the best nursing care possible.• Reduced scores of Role Adequacy and Role Legitimacy over the duration of the undergraduate nursing programme were reflective of novice student’s unrealistic expectations of the reality of complex care needs in dementia care.• Adaptation and psychometric testing of the Alcohol and Alcohol Perceptions Questionnaire to measure Dementia and Dementia Care Perceptions.• Validation of a new tool; “The Dementia and Dementia Care Perceptions Questionnaire” – (DDCPQ).• In depth understanding of ‘the case’; student nurses’ self-perceptions of their role in dementia care delivery using a self-efficacy approach, underpinned by social learning theory, in a longitudinal, mixed methods context.