Page 12 - Ageing and Dementia: A compendium of New Zealand research literature

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Dr. Gary Cheung,
Department of Psychological Medicine,
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,
University of Auckland, Auckland.
Dementia health care delivery has become a growing challenge in many parts of the world. It
was recognized as a public health priority by the World Health Organization in 2012. In New
Zealand dementia was recognized in 2010 as a national health priority as part of the Alzheimers
New Zealand National Dementia Strategy. Two of its main strategic goals were: improving
research in dementia care; and delivering quality dementia care through workforce
development. Although it is important to strive for these goals, a significant gap remains
between what is known in research and what is practiced clinically in dementia care. The gap of
knowledge translation from research to clinical practice can often take many years.
Translating research evidence to clinical practice has many challenges involving various clinician-
related, patient-related and organizational factors. In 2012, members of the National Dementia
Cooperative were surveyed how their organizations acquired, assessed, adapted and applied
research. The objective of the National Dementia Cooperative is to cooperate and collaborate
with people who are passionate about advancing knowledge of approaches to dementia care in
New Zealand. At the time of the survey, the cooperative had 456 members from a wide range of
occupations and backgrounds including medical, nursing, allied health, carers, managers and
academics in New Zealand. Of these, 146 (32%) members responded to the survey. The results
of this survey have identified ways for the New Zealand dementia care sector to improve
knowledge translation which include:
1. Create more time and incentives for staff to undertake and use research to inform their
clinical practice.
2. Provide staff with tools, knowledge-brokering skills, plans and training to enable them to
optimize their use of research and routinely engage in evidence-informed practice.
3. Extend the strengths of peer-to-peer networking to connect practitioners with
researchers.
4. Enhance leadership and organizational support for research through hosting research
events and offering staff designated time for research activities.
5. Establish a central platform where people can access information about evidence
practice in dementia care in New Zealand.
This current project is aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the literature and research
on dementia and dementia care in New Zealand. Information collected from this project will be
made available to clinicians, academics, managers and policy makers of dementia care.