Swedish Silvia nurses as trailblazers in the care of elderly with dementia : licensed practical nurses with a mission to disseminate knowledge about patient-based dementia care
Margareta Skog, Margareta Grafström, Birgit Negussie
Bok Engelsk 2000
| Utgitt | 2000
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| Omfang | 18 s.
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| Opplysninger | This study was based on interviews with Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who completed a one-year education at the Silvia Home Foundation in Sweden to become caregivers and mentors in the care of elderly with dementia. The goal of the education was in part to train skilled caregivers and "trailblazers," and in part to educate mentors in patient-based care. All the LPNs (n=18) were interviewed 6-9 months after completing the education, and 11 were also interviewed a year and a half after graduation. The purpose of the study was to investigate how the LPNs shaped their roles as caregivers and mentors in their day-to-day work. The patient perspective was reflected in how they prioritized time spent with the elderly and how they acted forcefully as the patients' "advocate." The LPNs applied the palliative caregiving philosophy in their day-to-day work mainly as related to its four cornerstones: symptom control, quality of life-communication-relationship, family support and teamwork. The experience gained from problem-based learning proved valuable for the LPNs' in their day-to-day work and when acting as mentors. They felt assured enough to stand up for their opinions; they had the strength to do what they felt was right; they had the ability to seek out information and they had learnt to be inquisitive. Moreover, the education gave the trainees a stronger identity as LPNs. Their new role as 'Silvia nurses' can be described as a continuum from role model as 'the good caregiver' and 'the good example' through in formal peer supporter to formal course leader and lecturer outside the workplace. The LPN s' were divided into two groups, one consisting of those who described their new working situation in positive terms and one where the participants described their working situation as being "both better and worse." Those who, following their education, received personalized positions or were given time for teaching or mentoring felt that they were making a positive contribution. Those who fit the category "both better and worse" felt that their employers were not utilizing their skills to the extent they had hoped and looked outside the workplace for ways to promote dementia issues.
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