Qualitative study exploring health care professionals’ perceptions of providing rehabilitation for people with advanced dementia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ principles for providing and delivering rehabilitation interventions for people with advanced dementia. DESIGN: This was a qualitative study with three focus groups undertaken virtually. The data were analysed using a process of reflexive thematic analysis in order to gain an in-depth understanding of rehabilitation principles for this population. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 20 healthcare professionals who were specialists in treating and rehabilitating people with advanced dementia were recruited. These healthcare professionals had a wide range of experience in a variety of different settings including primary care, secondary care as well as specialist mental health teams. Purposive sampling focused on the requirement for participants to have significant experience of treating people with dementia. Participants were from the UK and Denmark. Data collection was undertaken during August and September 2022. RESULTS: Three overarching themes were developed following analysis—organisational culture, knowledge and personal values of the healthcare professional. The first explored how the culture of an organisation affects a person with advanced dementia as well as the healthcare professional. The organisation needed to promote positive approaches to person-centred care and provide effective situational leadership to embed such approaches. Knowledge was a key consideration and was closely linked to the personal values of the healthcare professional, which formed the final theme. This study suggests that the interrelationship of these three factors influences the outcomes for the person with dementia and effective outcomes required consideration of all domains. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions for people with advanced dementia require the healthcare professional to have the knowledge about dementia and positive personal values, but the culture of the organisation is also key to ensure that the healthcare professional is able to deliver successful interventions.