Memory Team, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Routledge Academic Centre, University Hospital Llandough, Penarth CF64 2XX, UK.
Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, University Hospital of Wales, CF14 4XW, UK.
Age Ageing. 2021 Nov 10;50(6):2259-2263. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afab173.
A timely diagnosis of dementia is crucial for initiating and maintaining support for people living with dementia. The coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic temporarily halted Memory Clinics, where this is organised, and rate of dementia diagnosis has fallen. Despite increasing use of alternatives to face-to-face (F2F) consultations in other departments, it is unclear whether this is feasible within the traditional Memory Clinic model.
The main aim of this service improvement project performed during the pandemic was to explore feasibility of telephone (TC) and videoconference (VC) Memory Clinic consultations.
Consecutive patients on the Memory Clinic waiting list were telephoned and offered an initial appointment by VC or TC. Data extracted included: age, internet-enabled device ownership, reason for and choice of Memory Clinic assessment. We noted Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Blind (TC) and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (VC via Attend Anywhere) scores, and feasibility of consultation.
Out of 100 patients, 12 had a home assessment, moved away, been hospitalised, or died. 45, 21 and 6 preferred F2F, VC and TC assessments respectively. 16 were not contactable and offered a F2F appointment. The main reason for preferring F2F was non-ownership, or inability to use an internet-enabled device (80%). VC and TC preference reasons were unwillingness to come to hospital (59%), and convenience (41%). Attendance rate was 100% for VC and TC, but 77% for F2F. Feasibility (successful consultations) was seen in 90% (VC) and 67% (TC) patients.
For able and willing patients, remote Memory Consultations can be both feasible and beneficial. This has implications for future planning in dementia services.
及时诊断痴呆症对于为痴呆症患者提供支持至关重要。冠状病毒病（COVID）大流行暂时停止了记忆诊所的运作，而在那里可以进行这方面的诊断，因此痴呆症的诊断率下降了。尽管在其他部门越来越多地使用替代面对面（F2F）咨询，但在传统的记忆诊所模式下，这种方法是否可行尚不清楚。
本服务改进项目的主要目的是在大流行期间探索电话（TC）和视频会议（VC）记忆诊所咨询的可行性。
连续对记忆诊所等候名单上的患者进行电话联系，并通过 VC 或 TC 提供初步预约。提取的数据包括：年龄、拥有互联网设备的情况、选择记忆诊所评估的原因。我们注意到蒙特利尔认知评估-盲测（TC）和阿登布鲁克认知测验-第三版（通过 Attend Anywhere 进行 VC）的得分以及咨询的可行性。
在 100 名患者中，有 12 人进行了家庭评估、搬离、住院或死亡。45 人、21 人和 6 人分别优先选择 F2F、VC 和 TC 评估。16 人无法联系，提供了 F2F 预约。选择 F2F 的主要原因是非拥有或无法使用互联网设备（80%）。选择 VC 和 TC 的原因是不愿意来医院（59%）和方便（41%）。VC 和 TC 的出席率为 100%，而 F2F 的出席率为 77%。VC 组和 TC 组的可行性（成功咨询）分别为 90%和 67%。
对于有能力且愿意的患者，远程记忆咨询既可行又有益。这对未来的痴呆症服务规划具有重要意义。
