A systematic review of religion and dementia care pathways in black and minority ethnic populations.

Objective: To investigate how religion influences care pathways for black and minority ethnic individuals with dementia. We conducted a systematic search of the literature to explore how religion affects later presentation to care services, absence of care-seeking and dissatisfaction with care. Exclusion and Inclusion criteria were applied to the research literature. Qualitative and quantitative papers were included. Included studies were assessed independently by four authors according to quality criteria. Two US studies adhered to the final screening stage. Findings from these papers postulated that religion influences care in two polarised ways: (1) Religion hinders access to the traditional health care pathway. (2) Religion assists in positive coping. Collaboration between religious institutions and health care providers is required to improve care referral, provide information dissemination and relieve care-giver burden. UK research in this area is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]