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Dementia - Screening and Diagnosis of Early Cognitive Impairment
Study Description and Methods
In this random-controlled trial we tested two screening tools, Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test (BOMC) & Clock Drawing Test (CDT), to determine realistic ways to diagnose Early Cognitive Impairment (ECI). We wanted to demonstrate the practicality of integrating a two-stage testing process to identify patients with ECI into the daily practices of family physicians and other primary care providers.
Specific Aims and Objectives
Four objectives were addressed in this study:
- To determine whether family physicians and their office staff prefer using the Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test (BOMC) or the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) as an instrument to screen their older patients for early cognitive impairment (ECI);
- To evaluate family physicians’ willingness to implement routine screening of their older patients for ECI in their daily practice;
- To determine whether family physicians are willing to follow-up with patients who test positive on the initial screen (based on results from either BOMC or CDT) by having them return for diagnostic testing; and
- To assess patients’ responses to general screening and willingness of patients who have a positive screen for ECI to return for a subsequent appointment for diagnostic testing using the MCIS test.
Timeline
This study was conduced between October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.
Status
This project is currently closed, a manuscript is being written.
Contact Information
For additional information about this study, please contact:
James M. Galliher, PhD
Principal Investigator
AAFP National Research Network
1-800-274-2237, x3170
jgallihe@aafp.org
James M. Galliher, PhD
Principal Investigator
AAFP National Research Network
1-800-274-2237, x3170
jgallihe@aafp.org
Key Findings
Based on the study results, we can say that if screening and diagnostic testing for ECI/dementia as demonstrated in this project is going to be implemented in primary care offices, there must be:
- ways to implement this process without disrupting ordinary practice flow, including alternatives for its implementation that can be shown to work;
- reimbursable to the extent to which it will be worth the effort financially for the practice to implement systematically; and
- (Probably most importantly) effective treatments for ECI and dementia or demonstration of other benefits from early recognition of the problem.
This was funded by a grant from Extendicare Foundation (Milwaukee, WI).
