Primary Care Provider Preferences on Dementia Training: A Qualitative Study

Dementia has no cure, but interventions can stabilize the progression of cognitive, functional, and behavioral symptoms. Primary care providers (PCPs) are vital for the early detection, and long-term management of these diseases, given their gatekeeping role in the healthcare system. However, PCPs rarely implement evidence-based dementia care due to time limitations and knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. Training PCPs may help address these barriers.

We explored the preferences of PCPs for dementia care training programs.

We conducted qualitative interviews with 23 PCPs recruited nationally via snowball sampling. We conducted remote interviews and organized the transcripts for qualitative review to identify codes and themes, using thematic analysis methods.

PCP preferences varied regarding many aspects of ADRD training. Preferences varied regarding how to best increase PCP participation in training, and what content and materials were needed to help them and the families they serve. We also found differences regarding the duration and timing of training, and the modality of training sessions (remote versus in-person).

The recommendations arising from these interviews have the potential to inform the development and refinement of dementia training programs to optimize their implementation and success.