Nurses making a diagnosis of dementia—a potential change in practice?

Abstract

In this study, structured initial assessment by a specialist nurse was shown to be an accurate method of determining a diagnosis of cognitive impairment, when compared with formal MDT judgement. The principal benefit of this approach was that signposting to subsequent care pathways was expedited. Arguably, such distributed responsibility affords a viable option for the future detection of early dementia.

The Practice of Geriatrics: Specialized Geriatric Programs and Home Visits

“…In a research study identification of the presence of dementia by trained nurse assessors after a 90–120 minute in-home assessment showed very good agreement with the final consensus diagnosis (kappa = 0.84), and good agreement with regard to the type (kappa = 0.71) 27. A specialist nurse role was developed in a U.K. memory clinic 28. These nurses conducted a home-based assessment, formulated an initial diagnosis, and facilitated further assessments/investigations.…”

The role of the dementia specialist nurse in acute care: a scoping review

“…, Page et al . ). Other more comprehensive interventions to support older people in hospital, such as the Hospitalised Elder Life Programme use specialist nurses to assess multiple risk factors, including cognitive impairment (Rubin et al .…”

The role of nurse prescribers in memory services and their continuing professional development: A review of the literature

“…Feedback from memory service users and patients themselves is limited, although has been generally positive with almost no expressed concerns. Although one service user was “doubtful” of one supplementary NP's abilities (Stapleton, , p. 19), people often valued the prescribing qualification regardless of the profession (Grant et al, ; McInally, ; Page, Hope, Bee, & Burns, ). However, it is notable that no studies used standardised patient experience measures to gather these findings.…”