There are 850,000 people in the UK suffering from dementia. A challenge in management of these patients is the safeguarding of individuals who are no longer able to make informed decisions. This led to the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) in 2005. Mental capacity assessments are frequently carried out by junior doctors. Literature suggests they feel ill equipped to do so.Delivery of MCA education within our Geriatric Medicine course has traditionally been via a didactic lecture as part of a wider ethics tutorial. This study, at a large UK hospital, introduced a blended learning program dedicated to delivering education about the MCA via e-learning plus bedside teaching. We compared the knowledge, skills and attitudes of students who had undertaken blended learning (n=54) with those experiencing the traditional approach (n=35). Knowledge was assessed using summative assessment scores. Mean marks were 12.4 and 13.3 for the control and intervention groups respectively (p=0.01; Mann Whitney rank sum test). Skills were assessed in the blended learning group using a pre -post open question answer format. Mean marks pre and post teaching were 10.95 and 16.36 respectively (p<0.001; Wilcoxen signed rank test). Attitudes were assessed using 5-point Likert scales and open feedback. Most students enjoyed the blended learning format with 100% agreeing that they had learnt a new skill. Attitudes to the topic remained similar across both groups.Overall blended learning can be successfully deployed as a method of improving knowledge and skills in this important topic.
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