Evaluating Implementation and Outcomes of a Person-Centered Care Model for People with Dementia in the Rehabilitation In-Patient Setting: Project Protocol.

Abstract

While Australian guidelines promote person-centered healthcare (PCC) for persons with dementia, healthcare systems, routines, rules, and workplace cultures can pose challenges in the provision of PCC. To present a knowledge translation protocol of the PCC model in a sub-acute rehabilitation hospital. The two-year pre/post/follow-up translation project will include (n = 80) persons with dementia, (n = 80) adult family/carers of patient participants, (n = 60) healthcare staff (medical, nursing, allied health), and (n = 8) PCC staff champions. Champions will complete six half-days' training in PCC. Medical, nursing, and allied health staff will be provided with PCC learning manuals, complete six hours of online PCC education and attend six face-to-face PCC education sessions. Champions will provide ongoing support to staff in PCC practice. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework will be used to evaluate: i) outcomes for prospective patients provided with PCC, compared with a matched sample of retrospective patients (primary outcomes agitation incidence and severity); 2) champion and staff PCC knowledge, confidence, engagement, and practice quality; 3) person, family/carer, champion, and staff satisfaction with PCC; 4) PCC costs and benefits; and 5) organizational structures, systems and policies required to implement and maintain PCC in sub-acute healthcare. We will identify if PCC benefits persons with dementia, staff, and healthcare services, and we will generate evidence on the educational and organizational resources required to embed PCC in practice. Project findings will inform tailored PCC education applications for dissemination in healthcare and produce evidence-based PCC practice guidelines to improve healthcare for persons with dementia.