jan
Sandra Lukic - Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper
Title: Communities of practice in health care and social services- outcomes and experiences among caregivers of older people with cognitive disease or multimorbidity
Main supervisor:
Agneta Malmgren Fänge, Associate Professor, Main supervisor, Research group Applied Gerontology, Lund University
Reviewers:
Torbjörn Falkmer, Visiting Professor, Lund University; Emeritus Professor, Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Perth
Maya Kylén, Associate Professor, Kristianstad University and Lund University
Abstract
Background
The prevalence of chronic diseases including cognitive disease or multimorbidity increases with age. Due to the complexity of care for older adults with cognitive disease or multimorbidity a new approach regarding continuing professional development (CPD) among formal caregivers is needed. This thesis aims to explore and investigate views, experiences and outcomes of Communities of Practice (CoP) among informal and formal caregivers of older people with cognitive disease or multimorbidity. Another aim is to investigate perceived outcomes of and attitudes towards knowledge sharing and development through CoP among formal caregivers and managers in municipal health care and social services.
Research questions
- What are the perceptions and experiences of virtual Communities of Practice (vCoP) among informal and informal caregivers of people with dementia, and how can vCoP serve as a resource for learning and knowledge development?
- What are the experiences and outcomes of CoP among formal caregivers of older people with cognitive disease or multimorbidity receiving healthcare and social services in the community?
- How do formal caregivers of older people with cognitive disease or multimorbidity in municipal healthcare and social services, participating in CoP, share and develop knowledge and what are their experiences of participating in CoP?
- What are the attitudes towards and perceived outcomes of knowledge sharing and development as well as CPD through CoP among formal caregivers and managers in municipal healthcare and social services?
Results
The findings of study I indicate that sharing knowledge and experiences in vCoP provides emotional and practical support to informal caregivers and contributes to professional development of formal caregivers.
Formal caregivers requested support from their employer in finding valid digital educations. For the informal caregivers, participation in groups with others in same situation provided emotional support and helped them break social isolation.
Significance
This thesis will contribute with knowledge on whether and how participation in CoP among informal and formal caregivers affects sharing, acquisition and development of knowledge, contribute to professional development, create new ways of working, support everyday problem solving and ultimately change care practices.
Published studies
Lukic, S., Lethin, C., Christensen, J., & Malmgren Fänge, A. (2024).
Reflexive Views of Virtual Communities of Practice among Informal and Formal Caregivers of People with a Dementia Disease. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(13), 1285. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131285
Om evenemanget
Plats:
Dialogen, BMC:E11079 Sölvegatan 19, Lund
Kontakt:
sandra [dot] lukic [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se