Clinical decision support app for dementia

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Development of a hybrid computational model based app to standardise and improve the quality of dementia assessment data used to support clinical decision-making

  • IRAS ID

    230077

  • Contact name

    Kongfatt Wong-Lin

  • Contact email

    k.wong-lin@ulster.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Ulster University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 8 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    More timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia can lead to better and earlier interventions, which promote independence. Additionally, improved diagnosis permits planning for end-of-life care and reduces institutionalisation, thereby reducing direct and indirect health and social care costs burdens. It has been estimated that identification of risks and early diagnosis, which lead to the proper treatments or interventions, can delay the onset of dementia by 2-5 years and reduce the prevalence by 20-50%. The aim of this project is to make use of clinical data from N. Ireland to refine our hybrid computational approach to standardising and improving the quality of dementia assessment data, and thus to develop an app to support clinical decision-making. To address this aim a databank will be created of key clinical data linked with the assessment and diagnosis of dementia from patients currently living with diagnosed dementia (mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s dementia, and non-Alzheimer’s dementia) and attending the N. Ireland Memory Assessment Service (WHSCT). Data mining methods will be employed to identify the strengths of the assessment tools used in predicating the dementia diagnosis. The information will be incorporated into an app for use by patients within the clinical setting, providing clinical decision-makers with standardised, high-quality and prompt dementia assessment information.

  • REC name

    HSC REC B

  • REC reference

    17/NI/0142

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Aug 2017

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion