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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Access to diagnostic evaluation and treatment for dementia in Europe | | Author(s) | Gunhild Waldemar, Kieu T T Phung, Alistair Burns |
| Journal title | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol 22, no 1, January 2007 |
| Pages | pp 47-54 |
| Source | http://www.interscience.wiley.com |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Drugs ; Psychiatric treatment ; Europe. |
| Annotation | Access to facilities for diagnosis and treatment of dementia is insufficient in most European countries, and this paper reviews and discusses the barriers to access. The barriers to care are manifold, being present at all levels in each society and between countries in Europe. Multilevel and multifaceted strategies are needed to improve diagnosis and treatments for all patients with cognitive complaints. A multidisciplinary approach based on close collaboration between GPs and specialist memory clinics may be the ideal model for early accurate diagnosis and subsequently early pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. For all healthcare professionals, there should be specialised training in dementia and frequently updated practice guidelines to provide the framework for standards of care. Culture-sensitive strategies to promote public knowledge and destigmatise dementia are essential. Policy-makers and authorities should be made aware of the benefits of early access to diagnosis and treatment. The authors conclude that treatment rates for Alzheimer's disease (AD) vary considerably across Europe. They draw attention to the role of the European Dementia Consensus Network (EDCON), which recommends appropriate legal, educational, administrative and economic measures to improve the access to diagnosis and treatment. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-070131217 A |
| Classmark | EA: LK7: LLD: LP: 74 |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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