Implementing post diagnostic dementia care in primary care: a mixed-methods systematic review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Concentrating post-diagnostic dementia care in primary care settings offers potential for improved efficiency and accessibility.
• Primary care integration is crucial for effective dementia management closer to patients' homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify successful intervention components and contextual factors for primary care-led post-diagnostic dementia care.
• To assess elements contributing to the effective delivery and implementation of these services.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted, searching five databases.
• Included studies evaluated post-diagnostic dementia care interventions with a significant primary care role and assessed implementation elements.
• 49 studies were included after screening 4528 unique references.

Main Results:

• Most evaluated services demonstrated high acceptability, particularly information provision, social support, and community links.
• Feasibility was linked to provider engagement, leadership, capacity building, funding, and collaboration.
• Integrating dementia-specific health professionals enhanced care quality; costs were comparable across models.

Conclusions:

• Primary care-led dementia care models are generally feasible and acceptable.
• Future services should incorporate dementia specialists, foster primary care leadership, and ensure adequate funding and collaboration.
• Further research is needed on service reach and fidelity assessment.