DOCUMENTS

papers

Caring for dementia: a population-based study examining variations in guideline-consistent medical care

Published: May 5, 2015
Category: Bibliography > Papers
Authors: Lavergne MR, McGrail KM, Sivananthan SN
Countries: Canada
Language: null
Types: Care Management
Settings: Academic, Hospital

Alzheimers Dement 11:906-916.

UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, School of Population and Public Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that early detection and management of dementia care can improve outcomes. We assess variations in dementia care based on processes outlined in clinical guidelines by the BC Ministry of Health.

METHOD: A population-based retrospective cohort study of community-dwelling seniors using patient-level administrative data in British Columbia, Canada. Guidelines measured: laboratory testing, imaging, prescriptions, complete examination, counseling, and specialist referral.

RESULTS: Older patients were less likely to receive guideline-consistent medical care. Patients in higher income categories had higher odds of receiving counseling (confidence interval or CI 1.13-153) and referrals (15.1 CI 1.18-1.95) compared with those of lower income. Over a quarter of the cohort received an antipsychotic (28%) or nonrecommended benzodiazepine (26%). Individuals living within “rural” health authorities or of low income were more likely to receive antipsychotic treatment.

CONCLUSION: Patterns of inequality by age and income may signal barriers to care, particularly for management of dementia care processes.

PMID: 25956989

Canada,Age,Process Measures,Practice Patterns Comparison,Antidepressive Agents/standards,Antidepressive Agents/standards,Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use,Antipsychotic Agents/standards,Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use,Canada/epidemiology,Cohort Studies,Community Health Planning,Dementia/epidemiology,Gender,Healthcare Disparities,Neuroimaging,Physical Examination

Please log in/register to access.

Log in/Register

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

© The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System.
All rights reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement

Back to top