18 education and training to support physiotherapists working in dementia care: a scoping review

Abstract Background Physical impairments associated with dementia include loss of mobility, diminished postural control and reduced muscle strength, which in turn can lead to an increase in falls, hip fractures and frailty. Physiotherapy can play a key role in many aspects of dementia care. Physiotherapists have reported carrying a high caseload of people with dementia. However, there is a paucity of evidence as to what constitutes effective dementia education and training for physiotherapists. The aim of this scoping review was to explore and map the evidence relating to education and training for physiotherapists, with a view to using these findings to inform the design and delivery of an educational program for physiotherapists. Methods This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. The protocol for this review was published in March 2021. This review included studies that examined dementia education and training for the wider healthcare team if physiotherapy was an included profession. All studies with a focus on any aspect of physiotherapy dementia education and training were included. Studies conducted in any setting, including acute, community care and residential or any educational setting were included. A chronological narrative synthesis of the data outlined how the results relate to the objectives of this study. Results A total of eleven papers were included. The principal learning outcomes evaluated were knowledge, confidence and attitudes. Immediate post intervention scores showed an improvement in all three outcomes. Most educational interventions reached Kirkpatrick level 2, which evaluates learning. A multi-modal approach, with active participation and direct patient involvement seems to enhance learning. Conclusion Allowing for the heterogeneity of intervention design and evaluation, some common components of educational interventions were identified that led to positive outcomes. This review highlights the need for more robust studies in this area. Further research is needed to develop bespoke dementia curricula specific to physiotherapy.