Cognitive screening instrument use in primary care: is it changing?. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghadiri-Sani, Mona; Larner, Andrew J
• Is Part Of: Clinical practice. Volume 11:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 425
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: dementia -- Dementia CQUIN -- diagnosis -- National Dementia Strategy -- primary care -- screening; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.2217/cpr.14.37
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-9046

Abstract

Aim : To measure the frequency of cognitive screening instrument (CSI) use in referrals from primary care to a dedicated secondary care cognitive function clinic.Methods : Over a 6-month period (July–December 2013), referral letters for consecutive patients referred from primary care (n = 140) were examined for mention of CSI use.Results : Although the total number of referrals from primary care increased compared with previous cohorts, there was no significant increase in the proportion (31.4%) administered a CSI before referral. However, newer CSIs specifically designed for use in primary care were used more frequently than previously.Conclusion : There is no evidence from this study that national dementia directives are reducing the observed versus expected dementia diagnosis gap.