Anke Richters

The International Dementia Alliance Instrument for Feasible and Valid Staging of Individuals with Dementia by Informal Caregivers.

To assess the feasibility and validity of the International Dementia Alliance (IDEAL) instrument for Informal Caregivers (IDEAL‐IC), which is based on the IDEAL instrument for professionals (IDEAL‐P), for staging individuals with dementia.

Longitudinal multiple case study on effectiveness of network-based dementia care towards more integration, quality of care, and collaboration in primary care

Introduction This study aimed to provide insight into the merits of DementiaNet, a network-based primary care innovation for community-dwelling dementia patients. Methods Longitudinal mixed methods multiple case study including 13 networks of primary care professionals as cases. Data collection comprised continuously-kept logs; yearly network maturity score (range 0–24), yearly quality of care assessment (quality indicators, 0–100), and in-depth interviews. Results Networks consisted of median nine professionals (range 5–22) covering medical, care and welfare disciplines. Their follow-up was 1–2 years. Average yearly increase was 2.03 (95%-CI:1.20–2.96) on network maturity and 8.45 (95%-CI:2.80–14.69) on quality indicator score. High primary care practice involvement and strong leadership proved essential in the transition towards more mature networks with better quality of care. Discussion Progress towards more mature networks favored quality of care improvements. DementiaNet appeared to be effective to realize transition towards network-based care, enhance multidisciplinary collaboration, and improve quality of dementia care.

Eenzijdige beeldvorming vraagt om meer praktijkervaring in onderwijs

SamenvattingEen groot deel van de zorg- en dienstverlening betreft ouderen. Deze groep wordt alleen nog maar groter de komende jaren. Mede daarom is er steeds meer aandacht voor welke diensten worden aangeboden en hoe. Welke competenties zijn nodig in medische en verzorgende opleidingen om goede zorg te verlenen aan de doelgroep ouderen? Naast kennis en vaardigheden is aandacht voor de attitude ten opzichte van ouderen in opleidingen essentieel. Daarom werd vanuit de afdeling geriatrie van het Radboudumc te Nijmegen een onderzoek uitgevoerd naar de beeldvorming over ouderen tijdens het Lowlands festival.

Evaluation of DementiaNet, a network-based primary care innovation for community-dwelling patients with dementia: protocol for a longitudinal mixed methods multiple case study

Introduction Primary healthcare professionals will increasingly be required to manage and optimise their treatment for patients with dementia. With DementiaNet, we aim to reduce the burden of dementia on healthcare services and society through implementation and facilitation of integrated network-based care with increased dementia expertise. DementiaNet is designed as a stepwise approach including clinical leadership, quality improvement cycles and interprofessional training, which are tailor-made to the local context. For example, the composition of the network and improvement goals are tailored to the local context and availability. Here, we describe the linked evaluation study which aims to provide insight in effectiveness, process and mechanism of the DementiaNet approach through an innovative evaluation design. Methods and analysis We designed a longitudinal, mixed methods, multiple case study. Study population consists of two levels: (i) local DementiaNet networks of primary care professionals and (ii) patients and informal caregivers who receive care from these networks. At the start and after 12 and 24 months, quantitative data are collected for each network on: level of network maturity, quality of care indicators and outcomes reported by informal caregivers of dementia patients. We assess changes in networks over time and the association with quality of care and informal caregiver-reported outcomes. Throughout the study, logs about each network are registered. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with network members and informal caregivers will provide insight in experiences and opinions regarding effects and mechanisms through which changes in quantitative outcomes are effectuated. Rich narratives will be constructed about the development of the local networks using collected data. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was reviewed by the local medical ethics committee; formal judgement was not required (protocol number: 2015–2053). The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and presentations for healthcare professionals where appropriate.