C. E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Family, Community, and Mental Health Systems, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Aging Ment Health. 2021 May;25(5):797-806. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1725739. Epub 2020 Feb 21.
The aim of this descriptive study was to examine Appalachian stakeholder attitudes toward routine memory screening, and to compare and contrast results from a similar study conducted in an ethnically diverse rural Florida cohort. Determining perceptions about memory screening is essential prior to developing culturally relevant programs for increasing early dementia detection and management among rural underserved older adults at risk of cognitive impairment. Benefits of early detection include ruling out other causes of illness and treating accordingly, delaying onset of dementia symptoms through behavior management and medications, and improving long-term care planning (Dubois, Padovani, Scheltens, Rossi, & Dell'Agnello, 2016). These interventions can potentially help to maintain independence, decrease dementia care costs, and reduce family burdens (Frisoni, et al., 2017).
Researchers applied a parallel mixed method design (Tashakkori & Newman, 2010) of semi-structured interviews, measurements of health literacy (REALM-SF) (Arozullah, et al., 2007), sociodemographics, and cognitive screening perceptions (PRISM-PC) (Boustani, et al., 2008), to examine beliefs and attitudes about memory screening among 22 FL and 21 WV rural stakeholders (residents, health providers, and administrators).
Findings included that > 90% participants across both cohorts were highly supportive of earlier dementia detection through routine screening regardless of sample characteristics. However, half of those interviewed were doubtful that provider care or assistance would be adequate for this terminal illness. Despite previous concerns of stigma associated with an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, rural providers are encouraged to educate patients and community members regarding Alzheimer's disease and offer routine cognitive screening and follow-through.
本描述性研究旨在调查阿巴拉契亚地区利益相关者对常规记忆筛查的态度，并比较和对比在佛罗里达州一个种族多样化的农村队列中进行的类似研究的结果。在制定针对农村服务不足的老年高危认知障碍人群的文化相关计划以增加早期痴呆症检测和管理之前，确定对记忆筛查的看法至关重要。早期检测的好处包括排除其他疾病的原因并进行相应治疗，通过行为管理和药物延迟痴呆症状的发作，以及改善长期护理计划（Dubois，Padovani，Scheltens，Rossi 和 Dell'Agnello，2016）。这些干预措施可以帮助保持独立性，降低痴呆症护理成本，并减轻家庭负担（Frisoni，等人，2017）。
研究人员采用半结构式访谈、健康素养测量（REALM-SF）（Arozullah 等人，2007）、社会人口统计学和认知筛查感知（PRISM-PC）（Boustani 等人，2008）的平行混合方法设计，研究了 22 名佛罗里达州和 21 名西弗吉尼亚州农村利益相关者（居民、医疗保健提供者和管理人员）对记忆筛查的信念和态度。
研究结果表明，两个队列的 90%以上的参与者都非常支持通过常规筛查尽早发现痴呆症，无论样本特征如何。然而，接受采访的人中一半人怀疑提供者的护理或援助是否足以治疗这种绝症。尽管之前担心与阿尔茨海默病诊断相关的耻辱感，但鼓励农村医疗保健提供者对阿尔茨海默病患者和社区成员进行教育，并提供常规认知筛查和后续治疗。
