Hospital-Based Nurses' Experiences of Caring for Dementia Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background As the prevalence of dementia rises globally, with notable increases being seen in regions such as Saudi Arabia due to an ageing population, it is essential to understand patients’ experiences to effectively address negative incidents that hinder quality care and improve nursing education, healthcare organisation environments, and nursing practice. Objectives The objectives of this study are to (1) synthesise qualitative evidence regarding hospital staff experiences in caring for PLWD, (2) identify barriers and facilitators in providing person-centred dementia care, and (3) explore the impacts of this care on nurses, including challenges such as workload and stress, as well as positive aspects like fulfilment and satisfaction. Methodology A comprehensive search was conducted across credible databases, such as PubMed and EBSCO, focusing on studies published from 2019 to 2022, and guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevance and quality. Study quality was assessed using the CASP checklist, and findings were synthesised using meta-aggregation, with similar findings being grouped into categories to allow for a structured narrative synthesis. Findings Identified themes from the ten selected studies were as follows: 1) emotional impact and satisfaction, 2) challenges in providing person-centred care, 3) the importance of specialised knowledge and skills, 4) collaboration and teamwork, and 5) adaptability in medication management. Experiences encompassed a range of emotions, including frustration and fulfilment, communication issues, lack of training, and environmental barriers. Limitations included a small sample size of only ten studies and the exclusion of non-English and quantitative research. This potentially skewed the representativeness and depth of the findings while overlooking variations in experiences influenced by nurses' backgrounds or specific training. Conclusion These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that support nurses' professional development and emotional health in dementia care settings.