Staff Perceptions of an Online Training Programme for the Management of Behaviours That Challenge in Dementia: A Qualitative Assessment of CAIT

Background/Objectives: Behaviours that challenge (BtC) are common in people with dementia. International guidelines recommend using non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) as first-line treatments. A promising training package that provides a framework for delivering NPIs is “Communication and Interaction Training” (CAIT); this programme has received national recognition within the UK. Our study aimed to explore staff’s perceptions of the effect of CAIT on their understanding and responses to the behaviours and emotions of people with dementia. The study also sought to further understand how CAIT worked and the conditions which help implement it. Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse interviews with 11 staff who had been trained in the use of CAIT and then attempted to implement the contents of the training in clinical settings. Results: Six main themes emerged regarding the impact of the training: enhancing understanding, transforming interactions, skills development, accessible and flexible, socio-cultural change enablers, and obstacles in training. CAIT was viewed positively by the participants and was perceived to improve their knowledge, attitudes and skills. Conclusions: The positive findings are consistent with previous studies on CAIT and its current use in guiding training programmes in the UK. Implications for the delivery of CAIT are discussed, as well as suggestions for further trials of the programme.