Core Brain Health Training Pilot
The GBHI Respond Core Brain Health training pilot was conducted from November 2020 – April 2021. The aim of the pilot was to examine the effectiveness and acceptability of a training module focusing on the concept of brain health and life course risk factor reduction for staff from Respond.
The course comprised six topic sessions: introduction to the brain health, dementia, mental health, risk factors for dementia and interventions to address these risk factors. Sessions were delivered live online, with a flipped classroom approach whereby pre-session resources were provided to learners in advance. Cases tailored to be of relevance to the learners were included in each session, which were used in discussion groups/break out rooms. No assessment was included.
The learning aims for this pilot were to ensure that learners would be able to:
- Develop knowledge about brain anatomy in health and disease.
- Understand the concept of mental health and how it relates to brain health.
- Appreciate the clinical and lived experience of neurodegeneration, dementia and mental health.
- Learn about the modifiable life course risk factors underpinning late life brain health.
- Gain an understanding of brain health as a health promotion value
- Apply new knowledge and understanding of brain health and risk reduction to both their personal and professional lives.
The course was provided by GBHI to 14 Respond staff drawn from across the organisation, and included management, frontline staff and staff in advocacy and communications roles.