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Screening for dementia in primary care: a review of the use, efficacy and quality of measures

Milne, Alisoun, Culverwell, Alison, Guss, Reinhard, Tuppen, Jackie, Whelton, Beckie (2008) Screening for dementia in primary care: a review of the use, efficacy and quality of measures. International Psychogeriatrics, 20 (5). pp. 911-926. ISSN 1041-6102. E-ISSN 1741-203X. (doi:10.1017/s1041610208007394) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15531)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610208007394

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence that early identification of dementia is of growing policy and practice significance in the U.K., limited work has been done on evaluating screening measures for use in primary care. The aim of this paper is to offer a clinically informed synthesis of research and practice-based evidence on the utility efficacy and quality of dementia screening measures. Method: The study has three elements: a review of research literature, a small-scale survey of measures employed in three primary care trusts, and a systematic clinical evaluation of the most commonly used screening instruments. The study integrates data from research and clinical sources. Results: The General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG), the Memory Impairment Screen (MIS), and the Mini-Cognitive Assessment Instrument (Mini-Cog) were found to be brief, easy to administer, clinically acceptable, effective, and minimally affected by education, gender, and ethnicity. All three have psychometric properties similar to the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Conclusions: Although the MMSE is widely used in the U.K., this project identifies the GPCOG, MIS and Mini-Cog as clinically and psychometrically robust and more appropriate for routine use in primary care. A coherent review of evidence coupled with an indepth evaluation of screening instruments has the potential to enhance ability and commitment to early intervention in primary care and, as part of a wider educational strategy, improve the quality and consistency of dementia screening.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1017/s1041610208007394
Additional information: Review Article
Uncontrolled keywords: primary care; GPs; dementia screening measures
Subjects: H Social Sciences
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Maureen Cook
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2010 16:12 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15531 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Milne, Alisoun.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0977-8156
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Whelton, Beckie.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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