Introducing case management for people with dementia in primary care: a mixed-methods study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Service fragmentation poses challenges for dementia care.
• Case management offers a potential solution to integrate dementia services.
• Adapting existing models is key to improving care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt a US-based primary care case management model for dementia patients.
• To evaluate the feasibility and implementation of this model within general practice settings.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods case studies were conducted in four diverse general practices.
• Practice nurses and a social worker served as case managers.
• Data collection involved patient/carer interviews, case manager records, and stakeholder consultations.

Main Results:

• Fewer eligible patients were recruited than anticipated; recruitment targets were not met.
• More unmet needs were identified by researchers than by case managers.
• Practice nurse case managers reported time limitations and research burden; patients/carers valued the service.

Conclusions:

• Case management shows potential as a first point of contact and safety net for dementia patients and carers.
• Further research is necessary to address implementation challenges before primary care case management for dementia can be widely adopted.