Strengthening Primary Care Workforce Capacity in Dementia Diagnosis and Care: A Qualitative Study of Project Alzheimer's Disease-ECHO.
Alissa Bernstein SidemanAlma Hernandez de JesusCecilia AlagappanMelissa MaChristopher J KoenigLoren I AlvingFreddi Segal-GidanRachel GoldbergerDana SohmerHowie RosenPublished in: Medical care research and review : MCRR (2024)
Primary care practitioners (PCPs) are the first point of contact for most patients with suspected dementia and have identified a need for more training and support around dementia diagnosis and care. This qualitative study examined the Alzheimer's Disease-Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (AD-ECHO) program. AD-ECHO was designed to strengthen PCP capacity in dementia through bimonthly virtual meetings with a team of dementia experts. We conducted 24 hr of direct observations at AD-ECHO sessions and interviewed 14 participants about their experiences participating. Using thematic analysis, we found that participants valued the supportive learning environment and resources; knowledge gained empowered them to take more action around dementia; they identified ways of disseminating knowledge gained into their practice settings, and many desired ongoing AD-ECHO engagement. However, most identified time as a barrier to participation. AD-ECHO has the potential to strengthen the primary care workforce's knowledge and confidence around dementia care.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- primary care
- mild cognitive impairment
- quality improvement
- cognitive impairment
- magnetic resonance
- cognitive decline
- palliative care
- diffusion weighted imaging
- diffusion weighted
- contrast enhanced
- public health
- mental health
- type diabetes
- magnetic resonance imaging
- computed tomography
- insulin resistance
- risk assessment
- pain management
- metabolic syndrome
- climate change