Journal article

Quantifying the diagnostic pathway for patients with cognitive impairment: Real-world data from Australia

CM Black, M Woodward, BM Ambegaonkar, A Philips, J Pike, E Jones, J Husbands, RK Khandker

International Psychogeriatrics | CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS | Published : 2020

Abstract

Objectives: Rapid diagnosis of dementia is essential to ensure optimum patient care. This study used real-world data to quantify the dementia diagnostic pathway in Australia.Design: A real-world, cross-sectional survey of physicians and patients.Setting: Clinical practice.Participants: Primary care or specialist physicians managing patients with cognitive impairment (CI).Measurements: Descriptive analyses focused on key events in the diagnostic pathway. Regression modeling compared the duration between first consultation and formal diagnosis with various factors.Results: Data for 600 patients were provided by 60 physicians. Mean time from initial symptoms to first consultation was 6.1 ± 4.4 ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers