Committee approves dementia training measure for health providers, with amendments and funding language deferred

Senate Bill 1252, which requires the University of Hawaii to establish a specialized training program to educate health-care providers on dementia care, diagnosis and treatment, was passed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education on Feb. 6 with technical amendments and direction to clarify curricular and research components.

Colby Chock of the Alzheimer’s Association testified in strong support and proposed amendments to define curriculum elements and the scope of programs covered by the training so the measure addresses physicians, advanced practice nurses, social workers and allied health professionals who may perform early screening and assessments. Chock also urged organizing existing dementia research across the university to create a stronger platform for applying for National Institute on Aging (NIA) funding for an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).

Sam Shoemaker, dean of JABSOM, told the committee the school supports the measure and that medical students already receive some dementia training in psychiatry and geriatrics, but that more education could be provided. Testimony cited national data showing many physicians reported limited dementia training in medical school and low confidence making diagnoses, underscoring a need for additional workforce training.

The committee adopted an SD1 with technical, non-substantive amendments and blanked appropriation amounts and deferred the effective date for budget consideration; the measure will advance with committee-specified language clarifications.

Ending: The committee advanced SB 1252 with amendments and asked the university to work with the Alzheimer’s Association and other stakeholders to define curriculum, expand provider types covered, and organize research components to support future federal funding applications.