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Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation ® (GAP) characterizes successful free memory screening programs
Author(s) -
Zisko Leigh,
Trotter Jennifer,
Reynolds Allison,
Thurman Lisa,
Hollingshead Sarah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.046237
Subject(s) - promotion (chess) , medicine , global positioning system , cognition , psychology , medical education , computer science , psychiatry , telecommunications , politics , political science , law
Background Identification of eligible trial participants is essential to successful Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. Participants are needed for more than 250 actively recruiting clinical trials in the US. Over 5.8 million Americans are living with AD – many of whom have not been formally diagnosed. It is established that physicians are often unaware of cognitive impairment in a significant percentage of their cognitively impaired patients. Free memory screens (FMS) at research sites provide the ideal environment to identify potential trial participants. This study will characterize successful FMS programs that identify eligible AD trial participants. Method The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation® (GAP) developed the GAP Participant Services (GPS) program to provide AD trial‐specific, concierge‐level support for sites in the GAP Network (GAP‐Net). Anecdotal results were collected from over 500 GPS Liaison in‐person visit reports since Jan 2018. These results informed the construct of a survey that will collect more details about FMS programs including the following: Promotion and scheduling, Venue, Education level of staff conducting FMS, Information gathered, tools used, procedures conducted, How research opportunities are presented, and Metrics (including outcomes). GAP will report trends and FMS methods that generate the most successful outcomes. Result Quantitative survey results from up to 40 GAP‐Net sites are expected by the end of March 2020. Anecdotal results indicate the following: FMS advertised in the community and conducted both at the site and at community events are accessible and well attended; FMS conducted by master’s level staff or above result in better conversion rates; and Sites with an FMS program rapidly identify more eligible candidates for AD research Conclusion Characterizing and replicating successful components of a site‐level FMS program may result in identifying qualified candidates and lead to more rapid trial enrollment.