Cultural Adaptation of the World Health Organization’s iSupport Dementia Program for Family Carers of People Living with Dementia in Vietnam

Introduction : Supporting carers is a key priority in the Global Action Plan on Dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed iSupport, an online education and support program for family carers of people with dementia that can be adapted for use in different contexts. This study aimed to adapt iSupport for Vietnamese dementia carers. Methods : The adaptation process followed the WHO iSupport Adaptation and Implementation Guidelines in two stages. Stage 1 involved forward translation, expert panel review, backward translation, and harmonization, followed by researcher-led adjustments to align the content with Vietnamese cultural and healthcare contexts. Stage 2 consisted of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with family carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to gather feedback on the program’s content and its delivery via videos and an online virtual assistant platform. Results : Results of stage 1 involved refining professional translation to align with Vietnamese medical terminology, cultural norms, and caregiving practices. Unfamiliar activities were replaced with culturally relevant ones and medical advice was adjusted to local standards. Vietnamese proverbs, idioms, and localized names were incorporated to enhance cultural resonance. Stage 2 generated valuable feedback through FGDs. Participants called for simplified, jargon-free language and practical, context-specific advice. Digital delivery, especially through short multimedia videos with real actors, was preferred due to convenience and accessibility. Conclusion : Participants valued iSupport’s trustworthy, well-curated content, contrasting it with the overwhelming and often unreliable online resources. However, key barriers included limited time availability and the need for stage-specific guidance as dementia progresses. Suggested improvements included interactive features like update notifications. iSupport shows strong potential to improve dementia care in Vietnam by offering culturally tailored, accessible digital support to carers.