Stakeholders’ perspectives on adapting Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of iSupport program in Australia
Tracks
Chancellor 6
Adaptation
CALD
Dementia
Education and Training
| Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
| 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM |
Speaker
Prof Lily Xiao
Learning And Development Business Partner People And Culture
Flinders University
Stakeholders’ perspectives on adapting Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of iSupport program in Australia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to consult with stakeholders in adapting Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of iSupport for Dementia program obtained from Greece, Spain and Switzerland through international collaboration.
A qualitative descriptive approach was applied to address the aim of the study. Individual-based reviews, written comments and focus groups with carers and care workers from Greek, Italian, and Spanish speaking backgrounds respectively were conducted to collect data. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to data analysis.
In total, 20 carers and 20 care workers participated in the study. Five main themes were identified. 1) “Using words that are much more widely used by carers”: Participants suggest the need to choose words carefully to suit carers with a low literacy level in their first language. 2) “The content of the iSupport is very informative”: Participants embrace the six modules and 29 units included in the iSupport program. 3) “The module altogether is pretty overwhelming”: Participants suggest short videos and posters based on the content in each learning modules to engage carers in dementia care skill training. 4) “Learning by seeing examples is really helpful”: Participants expect trained facilitator-enabled peer support group activities so carers can learn from each other. 5) “Organising trainings and paying for the carers”: Participants expect funded skill training for carers led by trained facilitators.
The findings have informed the culturally and linguistically appropriate modification of Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of iSupport program, with specific strategies to suit implementation of the program into the Australian context.
A qualitative descriptive approach was applied to address the aim of the study. Individual-based reviews, written comments and focus groups with carers and care workers from Greek, Italian, and Spanish speaking backgrounds respectively were conducted to collect data. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to data analysis.
In total, 20 carers and 20 care workers participated in the study. Five main themes were identified. 1) “Using words that are much more widely used by carers”: Participants suggest the need to choose words carefully to suit carers with a low literacy level in their first language. 2) “The content of the iSupport is very informative”: Participants embrace the six modules and 29 units included in the iSupport program. 3) “The module altogether is pretty overwhelming”: Participants suggest short videos and posters based on the content in each learning modules to engage carers in dementia care skill training. 4) “Learning by seeing examples is really helpful”: Participants expect trained facilitator-enabled peer support group activities so carers can learn from each other. 5) “Organising trainings and paying for the carers”: Participants expect funded skill training for carers led by trained facilitators.
The findings have informed the culturally and linguistically appropriate modification of Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of iSupport program, with specific strategies to suit implementation of the program into the Australian context.
Biography
Professor Lily Xiao is an internationally recognised dementia caregiving researcher. She is one of four key contributors to the World Health organization (WHO) iSupport for Dementia program, an online skill training program for informal carers of people living with dementia. She has led a research team to adapt the WHO iSupport program in multiple languages in the Australian social and cultural context. She has also contributed to the iSupport adaptation in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand through international collaboration in research. Her research field includes dementia care, gerontological nursing, nursing workforce development and knowledge translation in nursing and health care services. She is the lead principal investigator in large category one research grants she has attracted, for example 1) 2023 Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Grants on Dementia Research (1.5 million), 2) 2021 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Dementia Ageing and Aged Care Mission Grant (1.4 million) and 3) 2020 and 2023 National Foundation for Australia-China Relations grants on Dementia Research (0.55 million).
Professor Xiao serves on the WHO Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange (GDO KE) peer reviewer panel to review dementia care resource for inclusion in the GDO KE Platform. She also serves on the WHO iSupport International Research Network to facilitate the cultural adaptation of iSupport program in the WHO members’ countries to address the disparities in supporting carers of people with dementia in a global context. She is the Fellow of Australian College of Nursing and serves on the Health Ageing Faculty. She is also the Foundation Member of the Australian Hartford Consortium for Gerontological Nursing Excellence. She has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Matthew Flinders Professor’ in the recognition of her distinguished contributions to research and leadership.
Session Chair
Angel Lee
Research Fellow
Monash University
