DEMENTIA BIASES AMONG INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Auerbach, S; Lopez, R; Gruss, V; Lorenz, R
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.499
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Healthcare providers are not exempt from implicit biases and beliefs that affect attitudes and behaviors. Biases and beliefs about dementia can be a barrier to appropriate dementia care and require exploration. In January 2018, we examined the research literature to identify what is known about healthcare providers, biases, beliefs, and dementia-related stigma. Search included Pubmed, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Cochrane Database using keywords and subject terms: doctor, physician, provider, clinician, healthcare provider, nurse, physician assistant, patient care team; AND treatment, patient care, delivery of healthcare, doctor patient relation*; AND bias, implicit bias, stigma, discrimination, healthcare disparit*, attitude of health personnel, stereotyp*, sexism, racism, ageism; AND dementia, Alzheimer*. Results were limited to English and publication 2014 or later. Commentaries, case studies, and non-peer reviewed articles were excluded. Reference lists of articles and literature reviews were searched. Eligibility criteria focused on dementia biases and stigma. We identified 1750 citations. After removing duplicates, we screened 1652 titles and abstracts, selecting 74 articles for full-text review. Of the twenty-four (24) that met eligibility criteria and were included, 13 were qualitative, 8 quantitative, and 3 mixed-methods. Studies represented providers from the UK (7), USA (3), Sweden (3), the Netherlands (2), Australia (2), Finland, Belgium, France, Japan, China, Nepal, Israel. We found the following themes: implicit biases; (ageism, therapeutic nihilism) and structural biases (insufficient education, insufficient time). Biases affecting care included use of restraints, communication, dementia screening, and diagnosis. Implications of these findings for education, practice, and future research will be presented.