An exploration of knowledge of students and staff at residential aged care facilities and implications for nursing education

摘要

Background: Advances in healthcare have contributed to population longevity with many older adults living with complex comorbidities, including those in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Nursing staff require knowledge of gerontology, normal ageing processes and expected physiological, psychosocial, function and cognitive changes in addition to health promotion in order to provide individualised care. The complexity inherent in the medical, palliative and basic care needs of the residents makes RACFs excellent places for learning for undergraduate student nurses who undertake clinical placement as part of a Bachelor of Nursing course. Previous research has identified that knowledge of care staff is relatively poor.