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Student experiences of taught part-time study on a postgraduate dementia studies programme: findings from an electronic questionnaire survey

Simon Burrow (Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Tim Bradshaw (Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Hilary Mairs (Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Helen Pusey (Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
John Keady (Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work/Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

ISSN: 1755-6228

Article publication date: 6 November 2017

252

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from an electronic questionnaire survey which set out to explore experiences of graduates of a part-time Master’s programme in dementia care at The University of Manchester.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic questionnaire survey was sent to 57 graduates who had studied on the programme since it began in 2003. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data from responses to six open-ended questions.

Findings

In total, 31 completed questionnaires were received. Four key themes were identified from the qualitative data: juggling competing demands; experiencing personal growth and achievement; locating sources of support; and supporting changes to practice.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations included the small sample size and the survey not covering the experiences of students who had failed to complete the first year of study.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the perceived value of dementia education at more advanced levels for people working in professional roles in dementia care, this included professional and personal development and supporting changes to practice. The study additionally adds to a limited evidence base relating to how mature, health and social care students experience part-time study in higher education and has implications for future research aimed at informing the development of appropriate course design and employer support.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Linda Welch at The University of Manchester for her administrative support in the production of this paper.

Citation

Burrow, S., Bradshaw, T., Mairs, H., Pusey, H. and Keady, J. (2017), "Student experiences of taught part-time study on a postgraduate dementia studies programme: findings from an electronic questionnaire survey", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 12 No. 6, pp. 383-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-02-2017-0011

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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