Identifying neurocognitive disorders in older adults: The role and perceptions of primary care professionals

This study aimed to understand the role and experiences of primary care professionals in identifying neurocognitive disorders in older adults. Identifying barriers, enablers, and their expectations will help consider avenues for improvement.

Using a descriptive and exploratory qualitative approach, two focus group interviews were conducted with 10 primary care professionals of various backgrounds, all members of a Territorial Professional Health Community. Thematic analysis of the collected verbatim transcripts revealed themes and sub-themes relevant to the research question.

All professionals acknowledged their ability to recognize early signs and to gather complaints from the patient or their relatives. However, this did not always lead to a diagnostic process. Among the noted barriers were lack of knowledge, constraints specific to their practice, and patient refusal. Interprofessional collaboration emerged as essential. Collective practice appeared to be limited by communication difficulties and ethical concerns. Participants expected better information sharing and more effective partnership.

Identifying neurocognitive disorders in primary care is complex and should be viewed as a collective challenge. The role of each professional must be acknowledged, and interprofessional collaboration should be strengthened through smoother and more effective communication. This complementary approach, involving other professionals alongside the general practitioner, opens new perspectives, including the implementation of geriatric advanced practice nursing roles and the development of coordination tools and systems.