Difficulties experienced by a Gujarati geriatric psychiatrist in interviewing Gujarati elders in Gujarati

Abstract

Background The population of ethnic elders is increasing. Method A series of 12 Gujarati elderly patients seen by a Gujarati psychogeriatrician are studied using a descriptive methodology. Results Some difficulties in interviewing these individuals in Gujarati are observed. Conclusions Further research is needed in this area. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dementia in UK South Asians: a scoping review of the literature

“…First, in 1999 Shah, a Gujarati Psychogeriatrician, published a descriptive account of his own experiences working with 12 Gujarati patients in their language. 36 Four of the patients had a diagnosis of dementia. He identified particular problems in eliciting cognitive symptoms due to problems with the translation and the lack of culturally appropriate assessments.…”

“…He identified particular problems in eliciting cognitive symptoms due to problems with the translation and the lack of culturally appropriate assessments. 36 Second, Kaur et al wrote about the role an Asian link nurse for Punjabi-speaking people of Asian origin in a dementia service in Wolverhampton. 24 The authors reported success in providing appropriate and culturally sensitive help and information for healthcare professionals, voluntary services and South Asian patients with dementia.…”

Working through interpreters in old age psychiatry: a literature review

“…Shah (1999) provides a descriptive account of the difficulties experienced in interviewing a series of 12 elderly Gujaratis in their own language by the author (a Gujarati speaker) who were referred for services on 14 occasions. Examining patients for cognitive signs and symptoms caused the most difficulty.…”

Language, games and the role of interpreters in psychiatric diagnosis: a Wittgensteinian thought experiment: Table 1

“…Diagnosis and effective treatment in psychiatry is contingent on good communication between the clinician, patient and carer 6 – 8. Good communication depends upon the clinician’s fluency in the patient’s language, the patient’s fluency in English, and the availability of an appropriate vocabulary in the patient’s language for signs and symptoms of mental illness described in western diagnostic classifications.…”

“…Shah8 has drawn attention to the practical difficulties in interpretation, whether through a bilingual professional or trained interpreter. Of particular significance here is his description of the absence of a matching vocabulary for signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness in the patient’s language.…”