MINDSET study bridges language gap for dementia diagnosis
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A new online training program for interpreters is changing the way dementia is diagnosed in culturally diverse communities, according to the latest findings from Australia’s National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). The study, conducted in collaboration with several leading universities, indicates that interpreters who receive specialised digital training are better equipped to handle cognitive assessments for dementia.
Led by Professor Bianca Brijnath, the IMproving INterpreting for Dementia ASsessmEnTs (MINDSET) study involved a randomised clinical trial focusing on interpreters speaking Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Mandarin and Vietnamese. The trial was co-designed with certified and provisionally certified interpreters and aimed to address communication gaps that often hinder timely dementia diagnosis.
“With increasing dementia prevalence due to population ageing, interpreters are needed to facilitate timely dementia diagnosis by supporting the verbal and non-verbal interplay between health professionals and patients during cognitive assessments,” said Professor Brijnath, emphasising the importance of bridging language barriers in healthcare.
As an internationally recognised expert on dementia within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, Professor Brijnath highlighted how this study points to the value of providing interpreters with comprehensive, targeted training. “Our findings suggest that, with the right training, interpreters can significantly enhance their communication skills, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing cognitive assessments.”
The research comes at a critical time, as approximately 40% of Australians aged 75 years and over speak a language other than English and have limited English proficiency. With dementia cases predicted to rise by 600% in certain ethnic communities, experts believe improved training for interpreters can make a substantial impact on diagnosis rates and post-diagnostic support.
The study was conducted in collaboration with La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, University of Sydney, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Newcastle.
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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
