Staff Perspectives on Dementia Care in Nursing Homes: A Pre-Implementation, Content Analysis Study Guided by the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model.

PURPOSE

To assess implementation context prior to the implementation of Dementia Collaborative Coaching (DCC), a person-centered, communication coaching intervention for speech-language pathologists, certified nursing assistants, and people living with dementia in nursing homes.

METHODS

This was a pre-implementation, content analysis of focus groups. Focus group questions and subsequent analysis were guided by the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model.

RESULTS

Employees ( = 27) from three nursing homes participated in five focus groups. Five themes from directed content analysis included (a) ; (b) ; (c) ; (d) ; and (e) .

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: Key factors related to the implementation of DCC included a perceived tension for change from staff to improve dementia care, concerns about appropriate staffing, and the need for explicit implementation and sustainability plans. The importance of continuing education with specific attention to temporary staff was also found to be a necessary element to support better uptake of the person-centered intervention. [(2), 5-9.].