Background <p>The escalating prevalence of dementia in India highlights the need for effective dementia care, particularly in a context marked by limited specialized services and resources. In response to this growing challenge, we sought to contribute to the understanding of societal expectations of multidisciplinary dementia care by exploring the qualities that family carers and healthcare professionals value in dementia care professionals within a multidisciplinary team in India.</p> Methods <p>The aim of the study was to describe the perspectives of carers and healthcare professionals regarding the attributes of a ‘good doctor’ in the context of accessing care for individuals with dementia in India. The research involved qualitative face-to-face interviews with 19 family carers and 25 healthcare professionals in Bengaluru, India, with data collected between March and July 2022.</p> Results <p>Using a thematic analysis framework, four main themes emerged: [<CitationRef CitationID="CR1">1</CitationRef>] accessibility and availability [<CitationRef CitationID="CR2">2</CitationRef>], empathetic engagement and effective communication [<CitationRef CitationID="CR3">3</CitationRef>], knowledge and competency, and [<CitationRef CitationID="CR4">4</CitationRef>] systemic reforms and culturally competent multilevel support. Public and professionals’ perceptions of ‘good’ care appeared to have shifted from seeking cures to prioritizing time, counselling, and information, reflecting a more holistic understanding of support needed. Interviewees valued interactions in which they perceived practitioners acting with patience, compassion, respect for dignity of the person with dementia, and professional competence. Effective communication was key. Challenges in accessing quality dementia care included inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized services, and long waiting times. The importance of multidisciplinary approaches and the need for systemic reforms to enhance service delivery were highlighted.</p> Conclusion <p>Findings highlight a need for training programs for healthcare professionals to foster the values inherent to delivery of person-centered care.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Unveiling the qualities of a ‘good doctor’: family carers’ and healthcare professionals’ perspective on dementia healthcare in India

  • Upasana Baruah,
  • Rachita Rao,
  • Josefine Antoniades,
  • Santosh Loganathan,
  • Mathew Varghese,
  • Claudia Cooper,
  • Mike Kent,
  • Briony Dow,
  • Bianca Brijnath

摘要

Background

The escalating prevalence of dementia in India highlights the need for effective dementia care, particularly in a context marked by limited specialized services and resources. In response to this growing challenge, we sought to contribute to the understanding of societal expectations of multidisciplinary dementia care by exploring the qualities that family carers and healthcare professionals value in dementia care professionals within a multidisciplinary team in India.

Methods

The aim of the study was to describe the perspectives of carers and healthcare professionals regarding the attributes of a ‘good doctor’ in the context of accessing care for individuals with dementia in India. The research involved qualitative face-to-face interviews with 19 family carers and 25 healthcare professionals in Bengaluru, India, with data collected between March and July 2022.

Results

Using a thematic analysis framework, four main themes emerged: [1] accessibility and availability [2], empathetic engagement and effective communication [3], knowledge and competency, and [4] systemic reforms and culturally competent multilevel support. Public and professionals’ perceptions of ‘good’ care appeared to have shifted from seeking cures to prioritizing time, counselling, and information, reflecting a more holistic understanding of support needed. Interviewees valued interactions in which they perceived practitioners acting with patience, compassion, respect for dignity of the person with dementia, and professional competence. Effective communication was key. Challenges in accessing quality dementia care included inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized services, and long waiting times. The importance of multidisciplinary approaches and the need for systemic reforms to enhance service delivery were highlighted.

Conclusion

Findings highlight a need for training programs for healthcare professionals to foster the values inherent to delivery of person-centered care.