Alzheimer Europe Conference
POS3.12 AUER Stefanie - On the way to a Dementia-competent society in Austria E-learning for different professional groups (002)
Main Author: Stefanie Auer, Danube University - Co-Authors: Markus Richter & Lisa Bauer & Eduard Dernesch & Petra Warisch & Martina Stöfflbauer & Paolo Drexler & Deniz Sarikaya & Paul Pürcher & Margit Höfler & Marc Wortmann
Background
Police officers and Persons working in the public administration often serve as a first point of contact in critical situations for both persons with dementia and their support providers. In order to be sensitive to the special needs of persons with dementia, training is essential. Therefore, E-learning programs for these important groups were initiated.
Methods
In order to specifically target the needs of specific professional groups (Police Officers, Community Employees), focus groups were organized in which experiences and needs of the respective professional groups were discussed. Contents of the discussion were analysed, important topics were defined and teaching contents developed. Additionally, different certification processes for the different groups were developed. The learning programs were implemented on the E-learning platform of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and are easily accessible.
Results
Taking the results of the discussions into account, internet-based learning modules were developed and evaluated in the respective groups. Currently, there are two E-learning programs available, “Mission Dementia” for the Police and “Active Community” for community employees”. To date, over 14.000 Police Officers have been trained and 250 Police Stations are certified “Dementia-competent”. A similar certification process for community employees just started.
Discussion
E-learning programs are well-accepted by police officers and community employees and may be an effective and economically interesting method for awareness building when implemented on easy-to-reach internet platforms. This method could be further extended to other professional groups.
POS3.12 AUER Stefanie - On the way to a Dementia-competent society in Austria E-learning for different professional groups (002)
Main Author: Stefanie Auer, Danube University - Co-Authors: Markus Richter & Lisa Bauer & Eduard Dernesch & Petra Warisch & Martina Stöfflbauer & Paolo Drexler & Deniz Sarikaya & Paul Pürcher & Margit Höfler & Marc Wortmann
Background
Police officers and Persons working in the public administration often serve as a first point of contact in critical situations for both persons with dementia and their support providers. In order to be sensitive to the special needs of persons with dementia, training is essential. Therefore, E-learning programs for these important groups were initiated.
Methods
In order to specifically target the needs of specific professional groups (Police Officers, Community Employees), focus groups were organized in which experiences and needs of the respective professional groups were discussed. Contents of the discussion were analysed, important topics were defined and teaching contents developed. Additionally, different certification processes for the different groups were developed. The learning programs were implemented on the E-learning platform of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and are easily accessible.
Results
Taking the results of the discussions into account, internet-based learning modules were developed and evaluated in the respective groups. Currently, there are two E-learning programs available, “Mission Dementia” for the Police and “Active Community” for community employees”. To date, over 14.000 Police Officers have been trained and 250 Police Stations are certified “Dementia-competent”. A similar certification process for community employees just started.
Discussion
E-learning programs are well-accepted by police officers and community employees and may be an effective and economically interesting method for awareness building when implemented on easy-to-reach internet platforms. This method could be further extended to other professional groups.