An Evaluation Study of a Dementia Screening Program in Taiwan: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviors

Abstract

A challenge facing dementia service providers is how to detect dementia early to facilitate timely intervention. This article reports findings of an evaluation study of a dementia-screening program in Taiwan utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviors. We present the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) program rationale and examine the effects of this important health and social service intervention. Follow-up telephone interviews were completed by 108 respondents. Findings indicate that the SPMSQ program was successful in identifying suspected dementia. Results also show that the dementia-screening program contributed to an increase in medical service utilization and in unpaid informal care.

Effects of a Dementia Screening Program on Healthcare Utilization in South Korea: A Difference-In-Difference Analysis

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to evaluate the effects of the introduction of a dementia management policy based on administrative data in South Korea. To date, relatively few studies have focused on the effects of early detection on healthcare services [8]. This study was a retrospective analysis based on data from a comprehensive patient registry from 2007 to 2009 from the SMCD as well as EDI request data from the HIRA for the purpose of analyzing the effect of a dementia management program in Seoul on healthcare utilization.…”

“…The Korean government declared a “war on dementia” in 2008 and has prepared a national dementia plan every five years [23]. As a means of restricting disease disability, mass DSPs can lead to early diagnosis, proper treatment, and, potentially, disability limitation [8]. Therefore, this quasi-experimental evaluation of such a DSP can significantly contribute to the research and practice related to dementia.…”

“…Future studies on healthcare services, including cost-effectiveness studies and endpoint outcome studies on delayed deterioration in disease progression, reductions in the institutional admission rate, mortality due to dementia, and improvements in quality of life for both dementia patients and caregivers, should be conducted proactively and systematically. Among the factors contributing to the underdiagnosis issue, taking into account delays in seeking a primary care physician due to the fear of stigma [8], information campaigns for the DSP that can address such perceptions are also important. Finally, there is also a need for research on strategies to increase medication compliance that take into account the quality of care.…”

“…Early detection of dementia is important for optimal disease management [8]. Though the number of dementia patients worldwide is increasing rapidly, approximately three-quarters of the world’s dementia population has not yet been diagnosed and the majority of dementia sufferers are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease; this results in a significant treatment gap [9].…”

Validation of a New Screening Tool for Dementia: The Simple Observation Checklist for Activities of Daily Living

“…1 The JCN effect of massive screening for dementia is controversial due to the possibilities of overdiagnosis and a poor cost-benefit ratio; 2 however, early detection is still crucial for managing dementia. 3 About 80 screening tools have been developed and validated for assessing cognitive impairment using either a computer or pencil and paper, 4 with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment being commonly used.…”