Project Title

The development of a Dementia Carer Research Consortium across Vietnam enabling the development and implementation of supports for those affected by dementia

Research Focus

Chronic Illness & Palliative Care

Funder & Dates

ESRC IAA Jan 2022 – December 2022

Principal Investigator or Primary Supervisor

Dr Gillian Carter

Co-Investigators or additional supervisors

Dr Olinda Santin

Dr Carole Parsons (School of Pharmacy)

Dr Gary Mitchell

Dr Catherine Monaghan

Name and Institution of Collaborators

Dr Hien Ho Thi, Assoc. Prof. Deputy Head of Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Hanoi University of Public Health; Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queens University Belfast

Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Head of International Relations, Hanoi University of Public Health

Bui Linh Chi, Rehabilitation Consultant, Hanoi University of Public Health

Dr Tran To Tran Nguyen, Department of Geriatrics, University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City

Dr Tran Cong Thang, Vice President Vietnam Alzheimer Disease & Neurocognitive Disorders Association (VnADA)

Dr Pham Van Tu, Head of the Geriatric Department, Da Nang General Hospital

Description of Project:

Aim; Methods; Expected Outcomes

Aim:

To produce an engaged dementia carer research environment across Northern, Central and Southern regions of Vietnam, facilitating knowledge transfer and exchange, enabling the development and implementation of supports for those affected by dementia.

Objectives:

1) Strengthen existing research partnerships in Hanoi University of Public Health, the National Geriatric Hospital and National Psychiatric Hospital I in Hanoi, and in the community Bach Nien Thien Duc Aged Care Centre and OriHomes.

2) Extend our portfolio of external impact partners by reaching out to new healthcare organisations in Da Nang (Central Vietnam); National Psychiatric Hospital II Ho Chi Minh City, University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCMC (South Vietnam) and Vietnam Alzheimer Disease & Neurocognitive Disorders Association (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh).

3) Promote knowledge transfer and exchange of the psychosocial needs of informal carers affected by dementia in Vietnam.

4) Promote impact by sharing knowledge and resources developed by QUB to promote awareness of dementia and the support of informal carers to help inform Vietnamese practice and policy. Methods: Stage 1: Knowledge transfer and exchange; partnership building.

Methods:

Stage 1: Knowledge transfer and exchange; partnership building

We will host seminars in Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, Da Nang, Central Vietnam, and in the National Psychiatric Hospital II Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam. Seminars will share our research findings of informal dementia carers needs in Vietnam, the Vietnamese cancer digital resource, and resources promoting dementia awareness and the support of informal carers, so that they have the potential to impact on current practice and policy. Seminars will allow HCP, academics, and informal carers the opportunity to share their views; and we will also explore potential partners to join a dementia carer research consortium.

Stage 2: Development of a dementia carer research consortium/delivery of a two-day co-design workshop

Listed partner organisations will identify one/two individuals to work in partnership with HUPH/QUB team as members of the dementia carer research consortium, producing a research action plan on identified needs of informal dementia carers and continue co-design of a support intervention.

A two-day co-design workshop with consortium members will explore and prioritise key areas of support needed by informal dementia carers. A support intervention protocol based on the top priority need will be established and used for future bids to develop, test, and implement the intervention.

Expected outcomes:

The proposed dementia carer research consortium, and future resource development will help address priority needs, inform clinical guidelines and policy recommendations, through provision of an evidence-base for effective implementation of support interventions for those affected by dementia.