Systematic, early identification of dementia and dementia care management are highly appreciated by general physicians in primary care – results within a cluster-randomized-controlled trial (DelpHi)

Abstract

Background

There is evidence about the benefits of early detection of dementia and subsequent provision of adequate treatment and care. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the acceptance of detection and intervention procedures. These analyses describe the attitudes of general physicians [GPs] toward 1) dementia in general, 2) systematic detection of people with dementia, and 3) an intervention approach after they have experienced both. Comparisons are made based on experience with systematic screening and dementia-specific intervention.

Methods

Postal, cross-sectional survey to all n=1,252 GPs in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. A subsample was drawn based on participation in the randomized, controlled, prospective intervention DelpHi-MV trial (Dementia: life- and person-centered help in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). In this trial, systematic screening is implemented and an intervention group receives support through dementia care management (DCM). GPs were categorized into either GPs with DCM and systematic screening (DCM-GP), GPs with systematic screening only (DelpHi-GP), or GPs not participating in the trial. Data from n=257 GPs were available. Attitudes toward dementia were assessed using a validated questionnaire.

Results

There was strong agreement toward the helpfulness of implementing a brief cognitive screening test (89.9% agreed). Approximately two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they had identified at least some patients as being cognitively impaired for the first time. The majority of the respondents indicated agreement toward DCM. It was described as supportive and helpful. The qualified nurses were perceived as competent in dementia care and 79.3% would like to be supported with DCM. Attitudes toward dementia are positive and do not differ between groups.

Conclusion

The results indicate that early recognition and DCM is highly appreciated by GPs and is considered feasible or wanted to be implemented in routine care.

Keywords:

• dementia care management
• screening
• general physician
• primary care
• implementation

Acknowledgments

The authors like to thank the participating GPs for their support. The study was funded by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

Author contributions

JRT conceived and designed the study, conducted the analyses, and drafted the manuscript, TE designed the study, developed the survey, and was involved in drafting the manuscript, AP and KA made substantial contribution to data acquisition and data analyses, and critically revised the manuscript. AD DW, and BM made substantial contributions to the conception of the study and were involved in drafting the manuscript. WH made substantial contributions to interpretation of data and was involved in critically revising the manuscript. All authors have given final approval of the version to be published.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.