What shapes GPs decisions to pursue a diagnosis of dementia? v.01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What shapes GPs decisions to pursue a diagnosis of dementia? A qualitative study.
IRAS ID
206491
Contact name
Shanu Sadhwani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton & Sussex Medical School
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of neurodegenerative diseases, of uncertain cause for which there is currently no cure. Age is the single largest risk factor; with an increasing aging population, the prevalence of dementia is projected to rise.
Current research suggests that up to 50% of people living with dementia have not been formally diagnosed, suggesting a significant ‘diagnosis gap’. GPs are responsible for the primary identification of dementia, and therefore understanding GPs’ decision-making is crucial to addressing undiagnosed dementia.
The aim of this study is to ascertain what factors contribute to facilitating the pursuit of a dementia diagnosis by GPs, as well as those factors that may delay or impede this process, and to elicit the most influential contributors to the process of diagnosis.Qualitative interviews will be conducted with GPs. They will be recruited through personal and institutional contacts of BSMS, through the Primary Care Research Networks, and through online methods.
Participants will be interviewed one-to-one. Written informed consent will be sought prior to any involvement in the study. A participant details sheet will ask questions that ascertain the participants’ background and working context. Interviews will be guided by a schedule, encouraging participants to discuss their overall experiences, individual cases, and their decision making when diagnosing dementia.
The perceived effect of the clinical and cultural context of the GP on the diagnostic process will be investigated, and therefore, GPs with different backgrounds will be recruited.
Qualitative interviews will be digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.Findings from the study will identify clinician barriers and facilitators to pursuing a diagnosis of dementia when presented with symptoms of cognitive impairment. They will be used to inform further studies planned within the same programme of work, and will inform future interventions to reduce the dementia diagnosis gap.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0189
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion