Dementia prevention and the GP's role: a qualitative interview study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gerontology
• General Practice

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) are crucial for proactive dementia prevention, with up to 40% of cases potentially preventable by addressing 12 modifiable risk factors.
• Understanding GPs' perceptions of their dementia prevention role and associated barriers is essential for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceived role of UK General Practitioners (GPs) in dementia prevention.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing GP engagement in dementia risk communication.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving 11 UK GPs.
• Semi-structured online interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• GPs recognize dementia prevention as part of their role but rarely discuss dementia risk explicitly with patients.
• Key barriers include lack of time, insufficient knowledge/education on modifiable risk factors, and fear of causing anxiety.
• GPs favor a whole-team approach and using 'brain health' as a more positive communication tool, particularly during reviews for long-term conditions or NHS health checks.

Conclusions:

• A systemic shift is needed to prioritize brain health and support primary care professionals in dementia prevention.
• Enhanced education for GPs is critical to empowering their role in dementia risk communication and prevention strategies.