| 60 Question Mean of Ranks H/x2 P Within the region you are currently working in, how well informed do you feel about how to refer individuals to these abovementioned services * Negative (N=98)** 3.00 16.34 <0.001 Neutral (N=35)** 3.00 Positive (N=91) 4.00 Within the region you are currently working in, how important do you consider the overall medical, nursing and allied health services Negative (N=98) 4.00 4.36 0.113 Neutral (N=35) 4.00 Positive (N=91) 5.00 Within the region you are currently working in, how important do you consider the overall domestic care and support services * Negative (N=98)** 4.00 12.57 0.002 Neutral (N=35)** 3.00 Positive (N=91) 5.00 Within the region you are currently working in, how important do you consider the information services for persons with dementia and care partners * Negative (N=98)** 4.00 8.99 0.011 Neutral (N=35) 4.00 Positive (N=91) 5.00 Within the region you are currently working in, how important do you consider the care partner respite and support services * Negative (N=98) 4.00 6.53 0.038 Neutral (N=35) 4.00 Positive (N=91) 5.00 Within the region you are currently working in, how important do you consider it to monitor aspects of physical health as part of the post-diagnostic support? Negative (N=98) 4.00 3.84 0.147 Neutral (N=35) 4.00 Positive (N=91) 4.00 Note. * Significant group differences with p<.005 ** Post-hoc Bonferroni corrected analysis showed a significant difference compared to the satisfied group. Theme 1) Determining a diagnosis is not easy Determining a correct diagnosis was described as a complex process. A MMSE score alone was not deemed very useful and healthcare providers sought to collect information from different sources such as brain scans, blood tests, a somatic work-up and neuropsychological tests. Healthcare providers emphasized the importance of making a differential diagnosis as it directed the guidance and support needed after diagnosis. To achieve a differential diagnosis, the process of integrating the different sources of information was crucial. I think it’s getting a specific diagnosis of what type of dementia that you have so that you, because, based on the type of dementia that you have, your plan of care can look different. If you have Lewy body versus Alzheimer’s versus, you know, Parkinson’s dementia (Participant in Canada) The diagnostic process was perceived as challenging as barriers were encountered and healthcare providers were dissatisfied with for example a
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw