Publications by authors named "Trish O' Sullivan"

Background: A collaborative, multi-disciplinary team input is crucial for the optimal management of the older adult with complex care needs such as dementia. Interprofessional learning (IPL) at undergraduate level can lead to improved collaborative knowledge and skills. The aim of this study was to develop, deliver and evaluate an IPL dementia workshop for healthcare students across 11 disciplines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion and teaching methods related to dementia in undergraduate physiotherapy programs in Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand, highlighting physiotherapy's role in dementia care, such as fall prevention and gait training.
  • A survey conducted across 69 higher educational institutions showed a 71% response rate, revealing that many programs devote minimal time (often just two hours) to dementia education and lack significant input from patients.
  • The findings suggest a need for improved dementia curricula that better meet the educational requirements of physiotherapy students and emphasize the importance of incorporating patient perspectives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Physiotherapy plays a key role in many aspects of dementia care, most notably in maintaining mobility. However, there is a lack of dementia care training at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and more importantly, a paucity of evidence as to what constitutes effective dementia education and training for physiotherapists. The aim of this scoping review was to explore and map the evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, relating to education and training for physiotherapists.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Global mortality rates from dementia continue to rise.  Evidence suggests that there is limited provision of palliative care for people with dementia and this is a cause of grave concern. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further exposed the inequalities of care for this vulnerable population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The care of people with dementia is of global concern. Physiotherapeutic intervention can be of benefit to patients with dementia. Physiotherapists can play a role in assessment, falls prevention, pain management and gait re-education.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Gait disturbance and impaired balance lead to a greater risk of falls and hip fractures for people with dementia. Physiotherapists play an important role in multidisciplinary dementia care. This study aimed to explore physiotherapists' experiences of dementia care and sought to identify their dementia-specific educational needs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

International policy documents emphasize the need to develop interprofessional education (IPE) to support collaborative dementia care in the community. The aim of this short report is to describe the development and pilot evaluation of an interprofessional dementia education workshop for primary care healthcare professionals. A three-hour workshop was iteratively developed through consultation with an expert reference group and people with dementia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF