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Can Memory Assessment Services (MAS) in England be categorized? A national survey
T Chrysanthaki1, B Fernandes1, S Smith1
1Department of Health Services Research & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK.
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|March 24, 2017
Summary
A study found no clear typology for memory assessment services (MASs). Significant variations exist in their structure, processes, and non-pharmacological support, impacting service evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Aging Research
- Neuroscience and Clinical Neurology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The effectiveness and efficiency of memory assessment services (MASs) remain largely unquantified.
- A need exists to establish a framework for evaluating MASs based on shared characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a typology of memory assessment services (MASs) can be constructed.
- To establish a basis for non-randomized evaluations of MAS effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 73 memory assessment services (MASs) was conducted in 2015.
- Characteristics were compared, and inter-correlations were investigated to identify potential typologies.
Main Results:
- No distinct typology of MASs could be formed based on structural and process characteristics.
- Significant variations were observed in staff numbers, patient load per staff, skill mix, and nurse:doctor ratios.
- Operational performance metrics, including appointment times and follow-up frequency, showed wide variability.
- While all MASs offered pharmacological treatments, the availability of non-pharmacological support was inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- The absence of a clear typology necessitates focusing evaluations on individual structural and process characteristics.
- Further research should investigate how specific MAS features influence patient outcomes and service efficiency.
