Acceptability of dementia screening in primary care patients

To determine the acceptability of dementia screening in two populations of older adults in different primary care settings.

Cross-sectional study of consecutive patients presenting for primary care appointments in the Duke University Health System (n = 152) or Durham VA Medical Center (n = 193) were evaluated face to face using the Dementia Screening and Perceived Harms (SAPH) questionnaire.

Overall, 81% of primary care patients indicated that they would want to be screened to determine if they are developing dementia. After exposure to possible risks and benefits of screening, 86% of patients indicated they would like to be screened. The SAPH was easy to use and contained five relevant and cohesive domains. The items most associated with a desire for dementia screening were male gender, acceptance of other types of screening, and a belief that a treatment for dementia exists.

Primary care patients in two different health care systems indicated they would like to be screened for dementia. The SAPH was easy to use and contains cohesive domains.