Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
School of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing-Medical Technology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
BMC Geriatr. 2023 Sep 14;23(1):562. doi: 10.1186/s12877-023-04199-0.
Vietnam is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world and the likelihood that someone may have dementia rises dramatically as the population ages. Although caring for persons living with dementia is important, little is known about the circumstances under which community healthcare professionals in Vietnam provide dementia care. This study aimed to describe the practice of caring for persons with dementia among community healthcare professionals in Vietnam.
This qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 23 community healthcare professionals recruited from 10 primary healthcare centers, representing 10 of 24 districts in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Participants were physicians (n = 11), physician's assistants (n = 8) and community nurses (n = 4). Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interview data were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis.
The mean age of the 23 participants was 44.6 ± 8.8 years; most were female (n = 16, 69.6%); and the mean time of working in the field of dementia care was 15.9 ± 8.4 years. Analysis of the interview data revealed five categories, which informed how care was provided: 1) Knowledge about dementia and its prevalence among older adults; 2) Identification of dementia in Vietnam; 3) Lack of attention to early diagnosis of dementia and difficulty in providing continuous care; 4) Dependence on family members for prompt and continuous care; and 5) challenges to providing dementia care. Despite having knowledge about dementia, some healthcare professionals incorrectly viewed dementia as an inevitable part of the ageing process. Participants reported that their limited training and practical experience in caring for persons with dementia caused a lack of confidence in dementia care.
The quality of care provided to persons living with dementia was negatively impacted by the limited training of healthcare personnel. The diagnosis, treatment, and provision of supportive services to persons living with dementia and their families are substantial challenges for the Vietnamese healthcare system. It is crucial to initiate and cultivate dementia care education programs aimed at expanding curricula for physicians, physicians' assistants, and nurses.
越南是世界上老龄化速度最快的国家之一，随着人口老龄化，人们患痴呆症的可能性急剧上升。尽管照顾痴呆症患者很重要，但对于越南社区医疗保健专业人员在何种情况下提供痴呆症护理知之甚少。本研究旨在描述越南社区医疗保健专业人员照顾痴呆症患者的实践情况。
本定性描述研究招募了来自越南胡志明市 10 个初级保健中心的 23 名社区医疗保健专业人员，代表该市 24 个区中的 10 个区。参与者包括医生（n=11）、医生助理（n=8）和社区护士（n=4）。通过深入的面对面半结构化访谈收集数据。访谈数据进行了录音、逐字转录，并使用内容分析法进行了分析。
23 名参与者的平均年龄为 44.6±8.8 岁；大多数为女性（n=16，69.6%）；从事痴呆症护理工作的平均时间为 15.9±8.4 年。对访谈数据的分析揭示了五个类别，这些类别告知了护理的提供方式：1）关于痴呆症及其在老年人中的流行程度的知识；2）越南的痴呆症识别；3）对痴呆症的早期诊断缺乏关注以及提供连续护理的困难；4）对家庭成员及时和持续护理的依赖；5）提供痴呆症护理的挑战。尽管对痴呆症有一定的了解，但一些医疗保健专业人员错误地将痴呆症视为衰老过程中不可避免的一部分。参与者报告说，他们在照顾痴呆症患者方面的培训和实践经验有限，导致他们对痴呆症护理缺乏信心。
医疗保健人员培训有限，对痴呆症患者的护理质量产生了负面影响。对痴呆症患者及其家属的诊断、治疗和提供支持服务是越南医疗保健系统的重大挑战。启动和培养痴呆症护理教育计划至关重要，旨在扩大医生、医生助理和护士的课程。
