Our award-winning Dementia Care Mapping™ for Realising Person-Centred Care course is now being successfully delivered online.
Dementia Care Mapping™ (DCM) is an established approach to achieving and embedding person-centred care for people living with dementia. It prepares staff to assess the quality of the care they provide from the perspective of the person with dementia. DCM empowers teams to engage in evidence-based critical reflection in order to improve the quality of the care they provide.
We have been delivering DCM courses nationally and internationally for many years. Whilst the way in which the course is delivered has changed over time to reflect changes in care and research, as well as knowledge relating to how adults learn, it has always been delivered in a ‘face to face’ format. The current situation with COVID-19 has changed this. The demand for DCM training has remained high, however face to face training is not currently possible. Therefore, we took the decision over the summer months to develop our DCM training course to be delivered using online methods.
Having delivered our MSc programme via distanced learning for some time, we were able to learn from these experiences, and those of our colleagues who work in learning technology, in order to develop a course that was the same high quality as our face to face course but delivered in a way that is suitable for people to study at home. Our first online course was delivered in September 2020 with students from throughout the UK and one student joining us from China. We used a combination of live Zoom calls and self-directed learning via the University’s virtual learning environment, which includes the use of interactive discussion forums, quizzes and videos.
We received positive feedback from those who attended the course:
“I found the course amazing. I was apprehensive about how it would work over Zoom but it was great. Although we were not in the same classroom, I feel we got to know our peers and tutors.”
“I was concerned how this course would work online but I didn’t need to worry at all. The tutors worked really hard to ensure that we all understood the content and were very patient with the questions. As a group I think we were all respectful of each other and of what support we needed. I loved the discussion forums as the tutors were very quick in coming back with any answers or guidance. I loved this course and the way in which it was delivered, and I am excited about using DCM in the future.”
“The quality of the course resources are outstanding and will be so valuable moving forward in my work. I feel excited to start using DCM in my job, and feel that the learning will positively impact my way of working.”
“Brilliant course, opened my eyes to the way I interact with and care for people when I am at work. Also amazed at how the on-line setting didn’t get in the way of it being a successful course – I think a lot of thought must have gone into that.”
We will be continuing to offer a distance learning version of DCM during the pandemic and also as an option beyond this time alongside our face to face options.”
Our next online DCM course will commence on the 18th January 2021 and we are currently recruiting for this course. For more information please visit https://www.bradford.ac.uk/dementia/training/dcm-pcc/ or email dementia@bradford.ac.uk
In addition to our training courses, we are also currently recruiting to a PhD Studentship on the topic of DCM. More information about this exciting opportunity can be found here: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/fully-funded-phd-studentship-in-dementia-care-mapping/?p126552. The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 11th December 2020.
Written by Dr Lindsey Collins