1
|
Irfan B, Ankouni G, Reader J, Seraji-Bozorgzad N, Giordani B, Bakulski K, Bhaumik A, Hampstead BM, Rahman-Filipiak A. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Muslim Women: Recommendations for Culturally Sensitive Care. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:857-867. [PMID: 38759011 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) present significant challenges including cognitive and functional loss, behavioral disruption, emotional distress, and significant financial burden. These stressors are amplified in minority groups, who experience higher rates of ADRD but less frequent and later diagnosis. There is therefore a critical need to identify tangible approaches to culturally informed dementia assessment and care for patients from diverse communities. Muslim patients and particularly Muslim women are among the populations most understudied in the ADRD space. Muslim patients may hold unique religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs and practices that can impact care-seeking for dementia symptoms, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment uptake. This paper outlines culturally informed approaches to assessing and treating Muslim women and families at each stage of ADRD care, though many recommendations extend to the broader Muslim community and others of diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. We provide concrete suggestions for building rapport within and leveraging common family structures, respecting principles of modesty and privacy for all women including those who observe hijab or niqab, and communicating dementia diagnosis and care in the context of spiritual and ethical beliefs. While not intended as a comprehensive and prescriptive guide, this review provides important points of consideration and discussion with patients of Muslim backgrounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Irfan
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ghadeer Ankouni
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan Reader
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Navid Seraji-Bozorgzad
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Bruno Giordani
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelly Bakulski
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Arijit Bhaumik
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin M Hampstead
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Research Program on Cognition & Neuromodulation Based Interventions, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health Systems, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Annalise Rahman-Filipiak
- Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Research Program on Cognition & Neuromodulation Based Interventions, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wainstein T, Elliott AM, Austin JC. Considerations for the use of qualitative methodologies in genetic counseling research. J Genet Couns 2022; 32:300-314. [PMID: 36271905 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
An abundance of qualitative research is being conducted within the genetic counseling field. As this area of research expands, many within our community are "learning through doing", an approach which is practical, but may lack theoretical grounding. This can result in study outputs that do not have the sort of utility for informing clinical practice that is the hallmark of excellent clinical qualitative research. Furthermore, our alignment as a discipline within the health sciences, which still tends to favor quantitative approaches, means that we may often be obliged to justify the use of qualitative methodologies, especially when we intend to use the findings for informing clinical practice. We aim to address these issues by providing guidance about how we, individually and collectively, might think about what excellent qualitative research can look like in our field. In addition to providing information and resources about current best-practices, we discuss how quality can be ensured and evaluated. We seek to legitimize the idea of developing a philosophy of research in pursuit of establishing genetic counseling as an academic discipline. We argue that the principles, ethics, values, and practices of genetic counseling are sufficiently unique that establishing a discipline-specific qualitative research framework is not only warranted, but essential. Ultimately, we hope that this paper can serve as a launching point from which additional discussion about qualitative research can emanate as we strive towards the elevation of this form of inquiry in our field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tasha Wainstein
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison M Elliott
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Children's Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jehannine C Austin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|