Agitation is a highly prevalent and distressing phenomenon among hospitalized older adults with cognitive impairment. It manifests itself through behaviors such as excessive motor activity, verbal or physical aggression, and emotional distress. Agitation is often a manifestation of unmet underlying needs, such as pain or fear, which are frequently not recognized or managed early and appropriately in people with cognitive impairment. This leads to adverse events and outcomes in this population, such as falls and the inappropriate use of physical and chemical restraints. This research aims to understand the characteristics and factors associated with nursing staff’s clinical reasoning in these cases through a video-simulation-based performance test. The findings will help identify critical areas for improvement, such as gaps in nursing staff’s knowledge and clinical reasoning skills, and will serve as a basis for developing effective interventions aimed at optimizing hospital care for older adults with cognitive impairment and agitation.
The principal investigator is Déborah Oliveira, and this is a Fondecyt de Iniciación 11260381
