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The role of higher education in transforming the quality of dementia care: dementia studies at the University of Bradford

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2009

M. Downs ,
A. Capstick ,
P. C. Baldwin ,
C. Surr  and
E. Bruce
M. Downs*
Affiliation:
Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford, U.K.
A. Capstick
Affiliation:
Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford, U.K.
P. C. Baldwin
Affiliation:
Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford, U.K.
C. Surr
Affiliation:
Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford, U.K.
E. Bruce
Affiliation:
Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M Downs, PhD, Head of Bradford Dementia Group, Bradford Dementia Group, Division of Dementia Studies, School of Health Studies, Bradford University, Bradford BD5 OBB, West Yorkshire, U.K. Phone: +44 01274 233991; Fax: +44 01274 236302. Email: m.downs@bradford.ac.uk.
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Abstract

There is now widespread concern about the inadequate care and support provided to people with dementia from diagnosis to death. It is acknowledged that while there is a range of effective ways to care for and support people with dementia and their families from diagnosis to death, these have yet to become integral to practice. In England, for example, the National Dementia Strategy seeks to transform the quality of dementia care. One of the key components to transforming the quality of care is to ensure we have an informed and effective workforce. We argue here that in order to transform the quality of care we need to distinguish between the aims of training and education. Whilst there is a place for skills-based workplace training, Higher Education in dementia studies has a key role to play in the provision of specialist knowledge and skills in dementia care emphasizing as it does the development of critical thinking, reflection and action. In this paper we describe dementia studies at Bradford University available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We outline their aims and learning outcomes, curricula, approach to teaching, learning and assessment. We describe the nature of students who study with us, noting their fit with the Higher Education Funding Council in England's agenda for widening participation in higher education. Higher Education in dementia studies has a unique role to play in equipping practitioners and professionals with the information, skills and attitudes to realize the potential for quality of life for people with dementia and their families.

Keywords

higher educationgraduate studiesdementia carequality
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Supplement S1: International perspectives on dementia education, training and knowledge transfer , April 2009 , pp. S3 - S15
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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