| 64 time pressure for physicians. Quantitative data displayed in Table 6 shows that the Pds group was least satisfied with the duration of the diagnostic process compared to the Dx and Dx+Pds groups. In addition, there is of course always when you talk about barriers, waiting times, and capacity. There can also be some improvement in this (Participant in the Netherlands) These delays in the diagnostic trajectory often meant that people with dementia accessed support at a later point in time. Quantitative data showed that the Pds group scored their satisfaction (range 1-5) with access to postdiagnostic support highest (3.96) followed by the Dx+Pds group (3.59) and the Dx group (2.81). The qualitative data identified several barriers to accessing post-diagnostic support after a diagnosis was made. Available services in rural areas and support for non-Alzheimer type dementia were seen as very limited, and some forms of support were not offered (anymore) partly due to a lack of government policy. A lack of available healthcare funds made it more difficult to implement new effective support programs and led to high costs. Healthcare providers also observed that it was often more difficult for those with a low socioeconomic background to access support. I would say that if you’re in a rural area versus an urban you might see a difference in terms of what’s available to you even for home services, big, big, difference, you know (Participant in Canada) Low awareness, low availability of these services. This is definitely a limitation (Participant in Poland) Table 6. Satisfaction with the diagnostic process. Question Answer option Dx group Pds Group Dx+Pds group Please indicate how satisfied you are with the duration of the diagnostic process Very – somewhat dissatisfied (%) 16.7 51.4 20.7 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied (%) 19.0 21.6 17.1 Very – somewhat satisfied (%) 64.3 27.0 62.2 Theme 4) Information and communication as a tool to help patients move forward To facilitate the integration between the diagnostic trajectory and postdiagnostic support, facilitating tools for healthcare providers were perceived to be communication and information. Healthcare providers emphasized that
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