The role of carers in psychological interventions for HD patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Specifying the role of renal carers in psychological interventions for haemodialysis patients from South Asian backgrounds
IRAS ID
241810
Contact name
Shivani Sharma
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
In the UK, people from South Asian backgrounds with origins in India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh, have amongst the highest need for treatment for kidney disease. Due to a shortage of suitable organs, South Asian patients are more likely to receive renal replacement therapy via haemodialysis (HD). The HD treatment regimen imposes multiple demands on patients, and those who care for them. Consequently, depression is common amongst HD patients. Providing psychological support for ethnic minorities is complex because of language barriers and cultural factors that impact willingness to disclose symptoms. Nonetheless, research funded by the British Renal Society/ British Kidney Patients Association (BRS/BKPA), and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), unearthed that (1) South Asian patients describe symptoms akin to depression when asked about mood on HD (2) South Asian patients are willing to participate in culturally tailored depression screening (3) any intervention for depression amongst South Asian HD patients would benefit from being framed within the context of family.In this research, we will aim to use focus group methodology to facilitate discussions with South Asian carers who communicate predominantly in either Urdu or Gujarati, across NHS Trusts where these patient groups are highly represented. The aim of these discussions will be to uncover more about the role of carers for South Asian HD patients to better understand both;
- their experiences of supporting patient adjustment to HD and
- their thoughts and feelings surrounding the most effective strategies for engaging patients in an intervention for low mood.The results, coupled with existing evidence, will inform the development and pilot of a culturally tailored intervention to manage depression on dialysis. In this way, we seek to encourage engagement with treatment, since intervention within the context of the family may be more accessible.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0433
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion