Increasing self-efficacy and knowledge in carer training: Hispanic versus Caucasian.

Aim: Nurses are teachers to their patients and need to know best practices for diverse families living with dementia. Little is known about Hispanic beliefs around dementia knowledge and self-efficacy that may have an impact on the learning situation.

Design: A pre-/postresearch design was used in this intervention study with a baseline assessment of dementia knowledge and caregiver self-efficacy and a reassessment at training completion.

Methods: Investigation of education training with two caregiver groups caring for persons with dementia: Caucasian and Hispanic. Convenience sample consisted of 567 Caucasians and 104 Hispanic dementia caregivers. Groups received training in their primary language accompanied by a training book (Dealing with Dementia Guide) also in the primary language.

Results: Dementia knowledge and caregiver self-efficacy increased in both groups with the Hispanic group demonstrating significantly greater increase in self-efficacy. The Caucasian group had a significantly greater increase in the dementia knowledge compared with the Hispanic group.