The effects of geriatric depression training on registered nurses: An integrative review
Date
2015-09-23
Authors
Kwadzovia, Edna
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Abstract
Background: With an aging population, the numbers of older adults with depression are increasing. Improving the care of the depressed older adult requires strategies and skills in mental health care. The research literature indicates that healthcare workers, including nurses, often do not recognize depression in their geriatric clients. Efforts have been made to improve detection, yet the problem persists. Training nurses about geriatric depression to improve detection is a strategy proposed to address the issue. An integrative review that examines the effects of geriatric depression training for nurses would provide useful information to guide clinical educators and advanced practice nurses developing geriatric depression training programs for their organizations.
Data sources: A comprehensive search of CINAHL, EBCSO, Web of Science, Ageline and MEDLINE databases was conducted.
Method: An integrative review was conducted using Whittemore and Knaflās (2005) framework.
Results: Twelve peer-reviewed published studies of depression training workshops that include registered nurses (RNs) were selected for the review. Results indicate that training nurses about geriatric depression can improve knowledge, confidence (i.e., self-efficacy) as well as changing attitudes.
Conclusion: This review supports the importance of geriatric depression training for nurses. Findings indicate that depression training increases knowledge, improves self-efficacy and changes the attitudes of nurses. However, current evidence on the effects of geriatric depression training needs more rigorous evaluation that goes beyond self-report to strengthen findings. In addition, at present the longer-term impact of training on nursing practice and detection of geriatric depression remains unclear.
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Keywords
integrative review, geriatric depression training for nurses, depression detection