A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care
Introduction Dementia is a challenging problem across the world, with over 5 million people with dementia in India. Multidisciplinary memory clinics (MCs) are the mainstay of care for people with dementia in many countries. There is limited information about the understanding of and attitudes toward...
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| Language: | English |
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European Publishing
2024-08-01
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| Series: | Population Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.populationmedicine.eu/A-qualitative-study-of-perceptions-of-professionals-regarding-multidisciplinary-memory,191816,0,2.html |
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| author | Jessy Fenn Sanju George Palayoor Benyne Jos C. T. Sudhir Kumar |
| author_facet | Jessy Fenn Sanju George Palayoor Benyne Jos C. T. Sudhir Kumar |
| author_sort | Jessy Fenn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Dementia is a challenging problem across the
world, with over 5 million people with dementia in India.
Multidisciplinary memory clinics (MCs) are the mainstay of
care for people with dementia in many countries. There is
limited information about the understanding of and attitudes
towards MC among health and social care professionals in
India. This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages
and disadvantages of a multidisciplinary memory clinic
model in the care of people with dementia, and to identify
the facilitators and barriers in establishing and running
multidisciplinary memory clinics, as perceived by a group of
specialist doctors, psychologists, and social workers.
Methods
A qualitative study using focus group discussions
(FGDs) was conducted and the theoretical background of
directed content analysis was applied for data analysis. The
participants were from Kerala, a southern state in India,
working in 13 different institutions involved in healthcare
and social work. Purposive sampling was utilized for the FGD
representative of a multidisciplinary team.
Results
All participants agreed that a multidisciplinary
memory clinic approach would improve patient care. Early
detection, comprehensive, continuous, person-centered
care and caregiver focus were perceived benefits that MCs
could offer. Disadvantages include unclear role definition,
disjointed care, complex team dynamics, and high costs.
Awareness of dementia, close involvement of stakeholders,
clarity in role definitions, elder-friendly settings, community
involvement and access to finances were perceived
to facilitate establishing memory clinics while lack of
awareness, stigma, risk of duplication of functions, lack of
outcome assessment and lack of funding were barriers.
Conclusions
Multidisciplinary memory clinics potentially
facilitate early diagnosis of dementia and comprehensive
person-centered care. Caregivers stand to benefit as the team
has more time and diversity in skills to educate and support
them. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-65bd2c3fa024408b82bd9addb20008e9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2654-1459 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Population Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-65bd2c3fa024408b82bd9addb20008e92025-08-20T02:41:46ZengEuropean PublishingPopulation Medicine2654-14592024-08-016August1810.18332/popmed/191816191816A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia careJessy Fenn0Sanju George1Palayoor Benyne Jos2C. T. Sudhir Kumar3Rajagiri College of Social Sciences Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, IndiaRajagiri College of Social Sciences Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, IndiaRajagiri College of Social Sciences Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, IndiaAlzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India-Kottayam, Kerala, IndiaIntroduction Dementia is a challenging problem across the world, with over 5 million people with dementia in India. Multidisciplinary memory clinics (MCs) are the mainstay of care for people with dementia in many countries. There is limited information about the understanding of and attitudes towards MC among health and social care professionals in India. This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and disadvantages of a multidisciplinary memory clinic model in the care of people with dementia, and to identify the facilitators and barriers in establishing and running multidisciplinary memory clinics, as perceived by a group of specialist doctors, psychologists, and social workers. Methods A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted and the theoretical background of directed content analysis was applied for data analysis. The participants were from Kerala, a southern state in India, working in 13 different institutions involved in healthcare and social work. Purposive sampling was utilized for the FGD representative of a multidisciplinary team. Results All participants agreed that a multidisciplinary memory clinic approach would improve patient care. Early detection, comprehensive, continuous, person-centered care and caregiver focus were perceived benefits that MCs could offer. Disadvantages include unclear role definition, disjointed care, complex team dynamics, and high costs. Awareness of dementia, close involvement of stakeholders, clarity in role definitions, elder-friendly settings, community involvement and access to finances were perceived to facilitate establishing memory clinics while lack of awareness, stigma, risk of duplication of functions, lack of outcome assessment and lack of funding were barriers. Conclusions Multidisciplinary memory clinics potentially facilitate early diagnosis of dementia and comprehensive person-centered care. Caregivers stand to benefit as the team has more time and diversity in skills to educate and support them.https://www.populationmedicine.eu/A-qualitative-study-of-perceptions-of-professionals-regarding-multidisciplinary-memory,191816,0,2.htmldementiaindiaperceptionqualitative studymultidisciplinary teammemory clinic |
| spellingShingle | Jessy Fenn Sanju George Palayoor Benyne Jos C. T. Sudhir Kumar A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care Population Medicine dementia india perception qualitative study multidisciplinary team memory clinic |
| title | A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| title_full | A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| title_short | A qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| title_sort | qualitative study of perceptions of professionals regarding multidisciplinary memory clinics for dementia care |
| topic | dementia india perception qualitative study multidisciplinary team memory clinic |
| url | https://www.populationmedicine.eu/A-qualitative-study-of-perceptions-of-professionals-regarding-multidisciplinary-memory,191816,0,2.html |
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