Development of a communication curriculum for family care partners of persons living with dementia.

Abstract

The healthcare system often fails family care partners of persons living with dementia as their involvement in care requires long-term planning in collaboration with healthcare providers. Unmet needs that may improve family participation in partnering in care include communication, education, and information. The objective of this study was to identify learning objectives to inform development of a communication curriculum for family care partners of persons living with dementia. This three-round Delphi study conducted from June to November 2023 adheres to Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies (CREDES) guidelines in palliative care. Expert participants were recruited based on their experience as a healthcare professional, academic researcher, policy expert, or family care partner. Participants completed three rounds of surveys to: (a) rank the importance and relevance of learning objectives, (b) rank-order learning objectives from least to most important, and (c) priority-rank learning objectives for each stage of dementia. Participants also provided qualitative feedback for each learning objective. Nine priority learning objectives were identified, with learning objectives for communication knowledge emphasized across all stages of dementia. Unique learning objectives were found for mild stage dementia (sharing positive and negative feelings) and severe stage dementia (defining communication topics for the healthcare team). This study provides a foundation for developing a targeted communication curriculum for family care partners to enhance their skills and confidence when communicating with healthcare providers. Implementing the identified learning objectives in educational programs can improve family care partners' ability to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals, leading to better health outcomes and improved care partner experiences. Variation in learning objectives across stages of dementia suggest targeted intervention approaches.