TY - JOUR

T1 - 'A lot of people think it's just a Mickey Mouse role'

T2 - Role ambiguity among dementia support workers within secondary care and community hospital settings

AU - Prendergast, Louise Margaret

AU - Davies, Ceryl Teleri

AU - Williamson, Tracey

PY - 2024/2

Y1 - 2024/2

N2 - Dementia support workers (DSWs) are employed to improve the hospital care for patients living with dementia. An evaluation sought to understand the perspectives and experiences of DSWs and related healthcare practitioners within one health board, to identify any role ambiguity and inform future role development. Framework analysis was used to synthesise data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with dementia support workers, and a wider group of related healthcare practitioners. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with DSWs. Two focus groups were held with DSWs ( = 2 and 4) and two with associated healthcare practitioners ( = 3 and 5). Participants described inconsistencies in the understanding and delivery of the DSW role. Role ambiguity was identified as a key theme. This paper offers insight into challenges experienced by DSWs and addresses factors that could help improve and support the DSW role, and potentially the experience of other staff, and patients/people living with dementia. Overall, this evaluation highlights both the value of the DSW role in supporting the needs of patients/people living with dementia and the potential for person-centred activities to be used as therapeutic interventions.

AB - Dementia support workers (DSWs) are employed to improve the hospital care for patients living with dementia. An evaluation sought to understand the perspectives and experiences of DSWs and related healthcare practitioners within one health board, to identify any role ambiguity and inform future role development. Framework analysis was used to synthesise data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with dementia support workers, and a wider group of related healthcare practitioners. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with DSWs. Two focus groups were held with DSWs ( = 2 and 4) and two with associated healthcare practitioners ( = 3 and 5). Participants described inconsistencies in the understanding and delivery of the DSW role. Role ambiguity was identified as a key theme. This paper offers insight into challenges experienced by DSWs and addresses factors that could help improve and support the DSW role, and potentially the experience of other staff, and patients/people living with dementia. Overall, this evaluation highlights both the value of the DSW role in supporting the needs of patients/people living with dementia and the potential for person-centred activities to be used as therapeutic interventions.

U2 - 10.1177/14713012231220461

DO - 10.1177/14713012231220461

M3 - Article

C2 - 38100306

VL - 23

SP - 191

EP - 209

JO - Dementia

JF - Dementia

SN - 1471-3012

IS - 2

ER -