OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of primary care practitioners on the early diagnosis of dementia. METHODS: A total of 247 GPs, 146 community nurses, 36 practice nurses, 79 community mental health nurses and others working in a range of hospital, residential and community settings attended 24 one-day workshops in 21 cities and towns in the UK. A nominal group approach was used relating to the early diagnosis of dementia in the community. RESULTS: Groups agreed on the benefits and risks of early diagnosis of dementia; disagreed about screening for dementia, and about professional resistance to making the diagnosis; constructed comprehensive guidelines on diagnosis, but without much reference to resource implications; yet described actual local resource limitations in detail; and avoided dilemmas about dementia care by framing it as a specialist activity. CONCLUSION: Practitioners situate dementia in a family context but do not yet use a disablement model of dementia which might reduce tensions about early diagnosis and the disclosure of the diagnosis. The term diagnosis could usefully be replaced by recognition, to aid this shift in model. Service gaps may emerge or widen if earlier diagnosis of dementia is pursued as a policy objective.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of primary care practitioners on the early diagnosis of dementia. METHODS: A total of 247 GPs, 146 community nurses, 36 practice nurses, 79 community mental health nurses and others working in a range of hospital, residential and community settings attended 24 one-day workshops in 21 cities and towns in the UK. A nominal group approach was used relating to the early diagnosis of dementia in the community. RESULTS: Groups agreed on the benefits and risks of early diagnosis of dementia; disagreed about screening for dementia, and about professional resistance to making the diagnosis; constructed comprehensive guidelines on diagnosis, but without much reference to resource implications; yet described actual local resource limitations in detail; and avoided dilemmas about dementia care by framing it as a specialist activity. CONCLUSION: Practitioners situate dementia in a family context but do not yet use a disablement model of dementia which might reduce tensions about early diagnosis and the disclosure of the diagnosis. The term diagnosis could usefully be replaced by recognition, to aid this shift in model. Service gaps may emerge or widen if earlier diagnosis of dementia is pursued as a policy objective.
Authors: Murna Downs; Stephen Turner; Michelle Bryans; Jane Wilcock; John Keady; Enid Levin; Ronan O'Carroll; Kate Howie; Steve Iliffe Journal: BMJ Date: 2006-03-25
Authors: Deborah E Barnes; Jing Zhou; Rod L Walker; Eric B Larson; Sei J Lee; W John Boscardin; Zachary A Marcum; Sascha Dublin Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2019-10-14 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Andrea Bradford; Mark E Kunik; Paul Schulz; Susan P Williams; Hardeep Singh Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2009 Oct-Dec Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: Carolin Donath; Elmar Grässel; Maria Grossfeld-Schmitz; Petra Menn; Jörg Lauterberg; Sonja Wunder; Peter Marx; Stephan Ruckdäschel; Hilmar Mehlig; Rolf Holle Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2010-11-18 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Meghan Karuturi; Melisa L Wong; Tina Hsu; Gretchen G Kimmick; Stuart M Lichtman; Holly M Holmes; Sharon K Inouye; William Dale; Kah P Loh; Mary I Whitehead; Allison Magnuson; Arti Hurria; Michelle C Janelsins; Supriya Mohile Journal: J Geriatr Oncol Date: 2016-06-07 Impact factor: 3.599