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A Model Strategy for Teaching Prehospital Personnel Management of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Debra Cason ,
Rosemary Wade Wilson ,
Paul K. Chafetz  and
Donald D. McIntire
Debra Cason*
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency Medicine Education, University of TexasSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Tx.
Rosemary Wade Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology and Geriatric Services, University of TexasSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Tx.
Paul K. Chafetz
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology and Geriatric Services, University of TexasSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Tx.
Donald D. McIntire
Affiliation:
Department of Academic Computing Services, University of TexasSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Tx.
*
University of TexasSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75235-8890USA
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Abstract

Accompanying the graying of America is the increased incidence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and the need to teach prehospital personnel how to manage these patients. The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional strategy to teach prehospital personnel about AD and some basic management techniques. This information includes: causes of acute and gradual onset confusion in the elderly; symptoms and course of AD; mental status exam; methods to facilitate communication; techniques to avoid confrontation; and means to identify personal feelings about the elderly and AD.

Teaching methodology includes instructional objectives, videotape presentation of didactic/clinical material, videotape situations demonstrating patient management techniques, role playing exercises, and discussion groups.

The videotape presentation portion of the teaching methodology was shown to be effective as a single instructional strategy. One hundred and thirty-four EMS personnel were given a sixteen item exam before and after the videotape presentation. Pre-test to post-test difference was significant at p=.001. The additional instruction components may further impact the knowledge of AD and positive delivery of care to the elderly.

Keywords

Alzheimer's diseaseeducationelderlyexaminationdementiainstructional strategyinstructional packagemanagementmental healthprehospital personneltrainingvideotape
Type
Educator
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 1992 , pp. 383 - 385
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1992

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References

1. Butcher, T: Caring for the elderly. JEMS 1990;15:56–74.Google ScholarPubMed
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3. National Institute of Health: Alzheimer's Disease. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1988, #88–2982.Google Scholar
4. Wilson, RW, Cason, D, Chafetz, PK: EMS personnel's knowledge about Alzheimer's. The Gerontologist 1990;30:106. Abstract.Google Scholar