Evaluation of the impact on audiences of Inside Out of Mind, research-based theatre for dementia carers

Background: A play about dementia care was taken on tour, funded by the Big Lottery through Arts Council England, to six cities. This paper explores its impact, mainly on professional carers. Methods: Mixed methods were applied; semi-structured self-completion questionnaires and subsequent telephone interviews to a stratified sample of respondents. Framework analysis was used, paying particular attention to critical comments. Results: Post-show questionnaires were submitted by 1035 (19%) and 64 people were later interviewed. Audience members expressed heightened awareness of the needs of people with dementia, with greater appreciation of the care process itself and of the challenges faced by professional dementia carers in hospitals and other longterm settings. Conclusions: This production of Inside Out of Mind afforded an effective medium for knowledge transfer. It engaged audiences with key issues - including dignity, identity and loss - and enabled them to reflect on these issues, while encouraging appropriate practical responses.