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Acceptability of dementia screening in primary care patients
Author(s) -
Holsinger Tracey,
Boustani Malaz,
Abbot David,
Williams John W
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2536
Subject(s) - dementia , primary care , medicine , primary health care , family medicine , gerontology , disease , population , environmental health
Objectives To determine the acceptability of dementia screening in two populations of older adults in different primary care settings. Methods Cross‐sectional study of consecutive patients presenting for primary care appointments in the Duke University Health System ( n = 152) or Durham VA Medical Center ( n = 193) were evaluated face to face using the Dementia Screening and Perceived Harms (SAPH) questionnaire. Results Overall, 81% of primary care patients indicated that they would want to be screened to determine if they are developing dementia. After exposure to possible risks and benefits of screening, 86% of patients indicated they would like to be screened. The SAPH was easy to use and contained five relevant and cohesive domains. The items most associated with a desire for dementia screening were male gender, acceptance of other types of screening, and a belief that a treatment for dementia exists. Conclusions Primary care patients in two different health care systems indicated they would like to be screened for dementia. The SAPH was easy to use and contains cohesive domains. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.