End User and Primary Care Physicians' Perspectives on Digital Innovations in Dementia Risk Detection: Focus on a...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Digital Health
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Dementia poses a global health challenge, necessitating early detection strategies.
• Digital biomarkers, particularly those monitoring sleep, offer a non-invasive approach to dementia risk detection.
• Understanding user and clinician perspectives is crucial for implementing digital health solutions in dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore end-user and primary care physician perspectives on using a digital sleep mat for dementia risk detection.
• To assess the acceptability and integration of the Dementia Research Institute Sleep Index (DRI-SI) into clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative focus groups with 31 potential end users experienced with dementia.
• Semistructured interviews with 7 primary care physicians.
• Inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes regarding digital sleep monitoring for dementia risk.

Main Results:

• End users prioritized practical integration, clinical impact, and data privacy.
• Physicians focused on clinical practice integration, resource impact, and the need for actionable results.
• Both groups identified prospective acceptability and practical considerations, but with differing emphases.

Conclusions:

• End users are receptive to the DRI-SI for dementia risk detection.
• Primary care physicians require stronger evidence for clinical integration of the DRI-SI.
• Recommendations are provided for developing digital biomarkers for dementia risk populations.