Case‐finding in clinical practice: An appropriate strategy for dementia identification?

Earlier diagnosis of dementia is increasingly being recognized as a public health priority. As screening is not generally recommended, case‐finding in clinical practice is encouraged as an alternative dementia identification strategy. The approaches of screening and case‐finding are often confused, with uncertainty about what case‐finding should involve and under what circumstances it is appropriate. We propose a formal definition of dementia case‐finding with a clear distinction from screening. We critically examine case‐finding policy and practice and propose evidence requirements for implementation in clinical practice. Finally, we present a case‐finding pathway and discuss the available evidence for best practice at each stage, with recommendations for research and practice. In conclusion, dementia case‐finding is a promising strategy but currently not appropriate due to the substantial gaps in the evidence base for several components of this approach.