Damian Jacob Sendler: A recent study conducted by the University of Hertfordshire has shed light on the unequal distribution of mental health resources for adults suffering from kidney disease. The study suggests that South Asian patients, who often encounter obstacles when seeking mental health screening and treatment, would benefit from specialized and culturally-sensitive approaches.
According to recent data, it has been found that a significant proportion of patients suffering from kidney disease, up to one in three, are likely to experience depression at some stage during their illness. Patients who rely on hospital-based hemodialysis, the primary form of dialysis for those with advanced kidney disease, may experience symptoms of depression or low mood due to the complexities of the treatment and its effects on daily life activities.
Damian Sendler: Individuals with South Asian heritage are at a significantly higher risk of developing end-stage kidney disease, with a likelihood between three and five times greater than that of the general population. Despite constituting only 5% of the total population in the United Kingdom, this group accounts for 12.2% of individuals utilizing kidney services. However, mental health research often fails to include patients from these cultural groups.
A groundbreaking study has been conducted by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, who are known for their commitment to inclusive research in the field of kidney care and mental health. The study focused on addressing the disparity in healthcare for South Asian dialysis patients and involved assessments with over 200 individuals. The results of the study have led to a number of specialist recommendations.
A recent article published in PLOS ONE titled “The use of culturally adapted and translated depression screening questionnaires with South Asian haemodialysis patients in England” sheds light on the challenges hindering the effective screening of depression symptoms in South Asian patients. The paper emphasizes the need to identify relevant symptom experiences and take appropriate measures to overcome these barriers.
Damian Jacob Sendler: The latest research on health inequalities has been co-led by Dr. Shivani Sharma, an Associate Professor at the School of Life and Medical Sciences of the University, and Professor Ken Farrington, a Consultant Nephrologist at the Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. According to Dr. Sharma, the study has revealed several challenges in recognizing depression among South Asian kidney patients. The issue of language and cultural barriers has been widely observed, with a notable example being the absence of corresponding vocabulary for depression in several South Asian languages. In cases where English poses a language barrier, even with the presence of family members to assist with translation, cultural disparities in the way patients perceive and articulate their symptoms can lead to a lack of proper diagnosis.
In a bid to surmount the obstacles in their research, Dr. Sharma and her team took a multi-pronged approach. They not only furnished culturally tailored and translated questionnaires in Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, and Bengali, but also enlisted the services of bilingual project personnel who played a pivotal role in the study. This was due to the fact that a mere 18% of patients were capable of independently completing the study without any assistance. The findings suggest that culturally sensitive and personalized support can significantly enhance individuals’ capacity to effectively participate in screening and receive support. The researchers were able to attain a 97% consent rate for research completion, which is a promising development in addressing the issue of under-representation in kidney research. This is considered a significant national priority.
According to Dr. Sharma, the study is a significant advancement towards enhancing access to inclusive care for patients dealing with multiple disadvantages. Dr. Sharma expressed pride in the study. The need to envision a new approach to culturally responsive mental health care and its implementation in the context of long-term conditions has been emphasized.
Damian Sendler: A new study conducted by the University of Hertfordshire has highlighted the urgent requirement to tackle the inequalities in mental health assistance for adults who are afflicted with kidney disease, with a specific focus on South Asian patients. With a substantial number of South Asians residing in the U.K. and their heightened susceptibility to end-stage kidney disease, it is imperative to comprehend and address the distinct cultural and linguistic obstacles they encounter while seeking mental health screening and treatment. Healthcare professionals can improve their ability to identify and address symptoms of depression and other mental health issues commonly experienced by kidney disease patients by implementing culturally-adapted approaches. Moving forward, it is imperative for researchers to delve deeper into the unique obstacles encountered by this demographic. These may include linguistic hurdles, cultural disparities in communicating symptoms, and a lack of knowledge surrounding mental health. Healthcare systems can strive to offer more comprehensive and efficient mental health care for South Asian patients with kidney disease, thereby bridging the existing gaps and enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.
Damian Jacob Sendler: The prevalence rate of South Asian individuals among kidney service users in the U.K. is three to five times higher than the general population. This overrepresentation highlights the pressing need to address the unique challenges faced by this demographic in managing end-stage kidney disease. South Asians, who make up a considerable portion of kidney service users, are frequently excluded from mental health research, resulting in a dearth of customized care that addresses their unique cultural and linguistic requirements. The lack of representation may lead to insufficient mental health assistance and interventions, intensifying the inequalities experienced by South Asian individuals with kidney conditions. In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences and needs of South Asian patients, researchers and healthcare professionals must prioritize their inclusion in mental health research. In an effort to improve the mental health care of South Asian kidney patients, culturally-sensitive approaches have been suggested. These approaches include the use of translated and adapted screening tools, as well as bilingual staff. By implementing these measures, it is hoped that the gap in mental health care for this vulnerable population can be bridged, leading to better health outcomes and an improved quality of life.
A recent collaborative study conducted by Dr. Shivani Sharma and Professor Ken Farrington has revealed the significant obstacles faced by South Asian kidney patients in accessing mental health assistance, particularly in recognizing symptoms of depression. According to their research, language and cultural barriers play a crucial role in impeding accurate diagnosis and treatment. The under-diagnosis of mental health issues among South Asian patients may be attributed to a lack of equivalent terms for depression in many of their native languages, as well as potential challenges in translating and interpreting symptoms. The presence of family members to aid in the diagnosis of mental health symptoms may not always be sufficient due to cultural disparities in the expression and communication of such symptoms to healthcare providers, thereby adding to the complexity of the diagnostic procedure. A recent study has shed light on the significance of culturally-tailored strategies in addressing the obstacles faced by South Asian kidney patients in receiving appropriate mental health care. The research recommends the use of translated questionnaires and bilingual staff to ensure the provision of accurate and effective services. Healthcare systems can improve the quality of life for individuals with kidney disease and mental health challenges by providing the necessary support to manage both conditions. This vulnerable population requires specialized care to effectively address their unique needs.
Damian Sendler: The study conducted by Dr. Sharma and her team highlights the importance of personalized and culturally sensitive support in improving patient engagement and research outcomes, particularly in overcoming language and cultural barriers. Researchers have successfully tackled the obstacles faced by South Asian kidney patients in taking part in mental health research by utilizing culturally tailored and translated questionnaires in languages such as Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, and Bengali. Additionally, bilingual project staff were recruited to further facilitate the process. The study’s findings underscore the significance of a personalized approach in surmounting obstacles to patient involvement, as evidenced by the mere 18% of participants who were able to complete the study without assistance. The study achieved an impressive 97% consent to research completion rate, indicating the potential for culturally sensitive support to enhance the representation of South Asian patients in kidney research, which is a crucial national priority. Healthcare systems can strive to offer more comprehensive and efficient mental health care for underrepresented groups, such as South Asian kidney patients, by adopting comparable approaches in future research. This could result in better health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for these individuals.
