forlini-australiancommunity-2019.pdf (593.93 kB)
An Australian community jury to consider case-finding for dementia: differences between informed community preferences and general practice guidelines
journal contribution
posted on 2019-06-01, 00:00 authored by R Thomas, R Sims, E Beller, A M Scott, J Doust, D Le Couteur, D Pond, C Loy, Cynthia ForliniCynthia Forlini, P GlasziouBackground: Case-finding for dementia is practised by general practitioners (GPs) in Australia but without an awareness of community preferences. We explored the values and preferences of informed community members around case-finding for dementia in Australian general practice. Design, setting and participants: A before and after, mixed-methods study in Gold Coast, Australia, with ten community members aged 50-70. Intervention: A 2-day citizen/community jury. Participants were informed by experts about dementia, the potential harms and benefits of case-finding, and ethical considerations. Primary and secondary outcomes: We asked participants, “Should the health system encourage GPs to practice ‘case-finding’ of dementia in people older than 50?” Case-finding was defined as a GP initiating testing for dementia when the patient is unaware of symptoms. We also assessed changes in participant comprehension/knowledge, attitudes towards dementia and participants’ own intentions to undergo case-finding for dementia if it were suggested. Results: Participants voted unanimously against case-finding for dementia, citing a lack of effective treatments, potential for harm to patients and potential financial incentives. However, they recognized that case-finding was currently practised by Australian GPs and recommended specific changes to the guidelines. Participants increased their comprehension/knowledge of dementia, their attitude towards case-finding became less positive, and their intentions to be tested themselves decreased. Conclusion: Once informed, community jury participants did not agree case-finding for dementia should be conducted by GPs. Yet their personal intentions to accept case-finding varied. If case-finding for dementia is recommended in the guidelines, then shared decision making is essential.
History
Journal
Health expectationsVolume
22Issue
3Pagination
475 - 484Publisher
John Wiley & SonsLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1369-6513eISSN
1369-7625Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2019, The AuthorsUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC