Awards
Akiko Kimura, Dementia Disease Medical Center, receives Excellence Award at the Japan Care Management Association Research Conference
Akiko Kimura, a social worker at the Dementia Disease Medical Center, received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 24th Research Conference of the Japan Care Management Association.
Awarding Organization
Japan Society for Care Management
Award-winning Abstract
The psychological state and change process of people diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) after diagnosis
Key points of this study
- Clarified the psychological state and process of change of people diagnosed with MCI.
Based on the results of this study, by reviewing post-diagnosis support aimed at preventing progression for people diagnosed with MCI at dementia disease medical centers, differential diagnosis can be made into a "meaningful consultation."
Research Overview and Background
While early medical treatment for dementia is considered important, there is a gap of approximately one and a half years between noticing symptoms and seeking medical treatment. Even after a diagnosis, it can take more than a year before connecting with care services, resulting in two gaps. Even though individuals diagnosed with MCI are able to seek medical treatment early, because it does not significantly interfere with daily life, they often do not take preventative measures, and many return to medical treatment after the disease has progressed to dementia. While medical interventions such as anti-amyloid beta antibody therapy are expected to increase early medical treatment, subsequent support remains a work in progress. To ensure that early medical treatment does not lead to early despair, it is necessary to consider the nature of post-diagnosis support. This study conducted interviews with counselors at dementia disease medical centers that provide post-diagnosis support to clarify the psychological state experienced by individuals diagnosed with MCI that leads to preventative measures.
Research Methods and Results
An interview survey (semi-structured interviews) was conducted targeting counselors at a dementia disease medical center, and the interview data was categorized using qualitative coding. The process of change was also visualized. As a result, it was suggested that the psychological state of people diagnosed with MCI after their diagnosis could be classified into three core categories, and that this process progresses through [reaction to the results], [acceptance of the results], and then to [change after diagnosis].