Evaluating a novel dementia-friendly eyecare training course for optometrists
| Monday, November 4, 2024 |
| 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM |
| Panorama Rooms 2 & 3 |
Overview
Dr Marianne Piano
Speaker
Dr Marianne Piano
Research Fellow
Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne
Evaluating a novel dementia-friendly eyecare training course for optometrists
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Global reports highlight the importance of access to eyecare for older adults living with dementia in their communities, to help maintain their independence. Optometrists experience challenges assessing people living with dementia, that could be addressed with evidence-based education/training, to break down these barriers.
Research Aims:
1) Explore the impact of completing an evidence-based education intervention upon knowledge, attitudes and practice of registered optometrists towards older adults living with dementia in the community.
2) Identify barriers and facilitators impacting translation of knowledge gained from the course into changes in practice.
Methods
This mixed method evaluation study utilises knowledge, attitudes and practice surveys and qualitative semi-structured interviews with learners completing the course. The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS), Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), Confidence in Dementia Scale (CODES) will be completed pre and post-course, and one year post-course. A practice pattern survey will be completed pre- and one year post-course to explore practice changes. Interviews post-course and one year post-course will explore motivations for and experiences of completing the course, and practicalities in applying learning in place of practice.
Results/Evaluation
38 optometrists have enrolled to date. We will present a profile of learners, preliminary short-term outcomes data post-course (changes in knowledge, comfort and attitude measures), and emerging themes around barriers and facilitators to applying learning in practice.
Discussion
Increasing capacity to provide dementia-friendly eyecare makes it easier for people living with dementia and family carers to find eyecare professionals who can accommodate dementia during testing, supporting access to eyecare.
Global reports highlight the importance of access to eyecare for older adults living with dementia in their communities, to help maintain their independence. Optometrists experience challenges assessing people living with dementia, that could be addressed with evidence-based education/training, to break down these barriers.
Research Aims:
1) Explore the impact of completing an evidence-based education intervention upon knowledge, attitudes and practice of registered optometrists towards older adults living with dementia in the community.
2) Identify barriers and facilitators impacting translation of knowledge gained from the course into changes in practice.
Methods
This mixed method evaluation study utilises knowledge, attitudes and practice surveys and qualitative semi-structured interviews with learners completing the course. The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS), Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), Confidence in Dementia Scale (CODES) will be completed pre and post-course, and one year post-course. A practice pattern survey will be completed pre- and one year post-course to explore practice changes. Interviews post-course and one year post-course will explore motivations for and experiences of completing the course, and practicalities in applying learning in place of practice.
Results/Evaluation
38 optometrists have enrolled to date. We will present a profile of learners, preliminary short-term outcomes data post-course (changes in knowledge, comfort and attitude measures), and emerging themes around barriers and facilitators to applying learning in practice.
Discussion
Increasing capacity to provide dementia-friendly eyecare makes it easier for people living with dementia and family carers to find eyecare professionals who can accommodate dementia during testing, supporting access to eyecare.
Biography
Marianne qualified as an orthoptist in 2008 from University of Liverpool. After some time in clinical practice, diagnosing and managing binocular vision and ocular motility disorders in children and adults, she completed a Masters in Research at the University of Liverpool and moved to Glasgow Caledonian University to study visual distortions arising in amblyopia for her PhD. After completing her PhD which was strongly focused on clinical research, she coordinated the first UK randomised controlled trial evaluating video game-based perceptual learning as a treatment for children with amblyopia. She moved to the University of Surrey in June 2016 to train in health services research, maintaining her clinical orthoptic research through funded projects evaluating binocular vision in skilled video game players and people living with dementia respectively. Marianne has recently commenced a joint post as a Clinical Vision Research Fellow, working between the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences and the Australian College of Optometry's National Vision Research Institute
