GP Study

Project Outlines and Aims

This 3-state randomised intervention trial in general practice aims to compare screening for or case detection of early dementia, and to examine the utility of a new brief screening instrument and practice guidelines. Intervention and control GP groups will be compared on GPs’ ability to diagnose and manage dementia and to distinguish it from other diseases. Patient outcomes – including quality of life, depression, satisfaction with care and referral indicators - will be compared at 12 months and including comparison of screening and case detection patients. The study is funded mainly by the NHMRC with subsidiary grants from beyondblue and Australian Department of Health and Ageing to examine effects on carers and specifically carer depression.

This will be the first study to examine the outcomes for people with cognitive decline and for their families of early detection of dementia.

Staff

Professor Dimity Pond (University of Newcastle)
Professor Henry Brodaty (UNSW)
Professor Charles Bridges-Webb (U Sydney)
Professor Jane Gunn (U Melbourne)
Professor Nigel Stocks (U Adelaide)