Assessment of the Cultural Competence, Dementia Attitude, and Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge among Tertiary Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease has made a significant impact on healthcare delivery in the acute care facilities. Tertiary healthcare providers are challenged by the needs of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease while ensuring safe delivery of technical and specialized care in a fast-paced setting. There have been extensive research on informal caregivers and the consequences of providing care to patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Few studies have queried tertiary healthcare providers and the influence of culture, attitude, or knowledge on Alzheimer’s disease care. No study to date has investigated the elements of high quality Alzheimer’s disease care which include cultural competence, positive attitudes, and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease. A quantitative study was proposed to assess tertiary healthcare providers’ cultural competence, attitude towards dementia, and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease using three measurement instruments. The study revealed the tertiary healthcare providers exhibit elements of cultural competence, positive attitude, and knowledge of AD based on the results from the CCA, DAS, and ADKS. Properly educating tertiary healthcare providers to the challenges and unique personalities of patients with AD or dementia can improve the quality of care for this vulnerable population in a frightening and intimidating environment.