BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence G. Duran METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260902T114500 DTEND:20260902T131500 DTSTAMP:20260902T114500 UID:phd-defence-g-duran@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260825T004947 LOCATION:Auditorium, Main building, 1105, (1st floor), De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence G. Duran X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Improving access to dementia care for persons with an ethnic minority background by stren gthening nurses’ cultural competence

Better dementia ca re starts with the care professional

Duran investigated how demen tia care can become more accessible for people from migrant backgroun ds and their loved ones. Language and cultural differences, unfamilia rity with the care system and differing expectations around dementia can all stand in the way of appropriate support. “When suitable sup port is lacking, this can also place a heavy burden on informal carer s and other relatives, who often play a major role in day-to-day care and support,” says Duran.

Care professionals also find that it is not always easy to connect well with people from different back grounds. Assumptions can play a role here. For example, professionals may assume that someone from a migrant background would prefer to be supported by a care professional who speaks the same language or has a similar cultural background. Conversations with informal carers sh owed, however, that this is not a condition for good care. What matte rs more is that professionals show genuine interest, ask questions an d check what the person themselves prefers.

If such assumptions are not discussed, they can even become a barrier to care. A profess ional may, for example, decide not to refer someone if no colleague w ith a similar background is available. “It is not about professiona ls knowing everything about someone’s culture, but about learning t o test their assumptions by asking questions, listening and following up. We wanted to translate that into something practical.”

< strong>The Good Conversation Method
Based on a literature review, interviews with care professionals and informal carers, grou p discussions and a practice pilot, Duran developed the Good Conversa tion Method together with those involved. This practical tool helps c are professionals talk about someone’s network, cultural and religi ous background, expectations and needs.

The method can be used directly in care practice, for example by practice nurses and dementi a case managers, and can also be incorporated into the training of fu ture care professionals. “Care professionals themselves also recogn ise that cultural skills are a valuable addition to person-centred ca re. By better connecting with someone’s story, background and loved ones, appropriate care becomes more accessible.”

More inform ation on the thesis.

DESCRIPTION: Improving access to dementia care for persons with an eth nic minority background by strengthening nurses’ cultural competenc e

Better dementia care starts with the care professional

The Netherlands is ageing, and the group of older people living w ith dementia is becoming increasingly diverse. Yet people with dement ia from migrant backgrounds do not always find their way to appropria te care easily. In her research, doctoral candidate Gözde Duran show s that care professionals play an important role in this. If they lea rn to better connect with someone’s background, values, faith and n etwork, access to good dementia care improves.Duran investig ated how dementia care can become more accessible for people from mig rant backgrounds and their loved ones. Language and cultural differen ces, unfamiliarity with the care system and differing expectations ar ound dementia can all stand in the way of appropriate support. “Whe n suitable support is lacking, this can also place a heavy burden on informal carers and other relatives, who often play a major role in d ay-to-day care and support,” says Duran.Care professionals also fin d that it is not always easy to connect well with people from differe nt backgrounds. Assumptions can play a role here. For example, profes sionals may assume that someone from a migrant background would prefe r to be supported by a care professional who speaks the same language or has a similar cultural background. Conversations with informal ca rers showed, however, that this is not a condition for good care. Wha t matters more is that professionals show genuine interest, ask quest ions and check what the person themselves prefers.If such assumptions are not discussed, they can even become a barrier to care. A profess ional may, for example, decide not to refer someone if no colleague w ith a similar background is available. “It is not about professiona ls knowing everything about someone’s culture, but about learning t o test their assumptions by asking questions, listening and following up. We wanted to translate that into something practical.” The Good Conversation Method
Based on a literature review , interviews with care professionals and informal carers, group discu ssions and a practice pilot, Duran developed the Good Conversation Me thod together with those involved. This practical tool helps care pro fessionals talk about someone’s network, cultural and religious bac kground, expectations and needs.The method can be used directly in ca re practice, for example by practice nurses and dementia case manager s, and can also be incorporated into the training of future care prof essionals. “Care professionals themselves also recognise that cultu ral skills are a valuable addition to person-centred care. By better connecting with someone’s story, background and loved ones, appropr iate care becomes more accessible.”More information on the thes is. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR