Table 2 Studies included in the scoping review

Bourque, M., et al. (2020),

Ireland

Qualitative

Department of General Practice

GPs

n = 12,

female (n = 7), age of majority (n = 10) 40–59 years, average experience 17.2 years, mixed urban-rural settings (n = 9)

Interviews to understand how to improve the quality of dementia care

Following a diagnosis, GPs reported their role was ad hoc and reactive. GPs care efforts focused on advanced care planning and deprescribing

GPs collaborate with care providers from different settings, mentioning lack of coordination among community services

Burn, A.,

et al. (2019),

England

Qualitative

Acute

hospital

PwD aged ≥ 75 years who had been hospitalised 6–12 months previously and had been diagnosed with dementia

n = 49,

patients (n = 24), female (53%), median and mean age 85 (range 79–94), carers (n = 25)

Interviews to gather patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of dementia case finding in hospital

Unclear whether all participants received a diagnosis; possibly during hospitalisation or after discharge

Case finding did not necessarily lead to GP follow-up

Burn, A.,

et al. (2018),

England

Qualitative

Hospital and GP setting

Hospital staff involved in dementia case finding and primary care staff in the catchment areas of those hospitals

n = 59,

primary care stuff (n = 36) including GPs (n = 30), average clinical experience 22.5 years of participants in focus group

Interviews and focus group discussions to explore views on benefits and challenges of case finding in hospitals

In Hospital

Poor communication of case finding information from secondary care to primary care. GPs do not receive much information from the hospital. The ability to act is therefore limited

Hinton, L.,

et al. (2007),

USA

Qualitative

GP setting

GPs

n = 40,

male (n = 35), age of majority (n = 23) 46–65 years, white non-hispanic (n = 27)

Interviews to explore view on practice constraints and how they affect appropriate care

Some GPs wanted psychiatrists’ opinions on managing behavioural problems. Others preferred ongoing care by a specialist. Family members are often consulted as a primary source for history taking, to assist in decision making and development of treatment plans

Communication is often difficult due to limited availability of specialists and lack of “feedback” in the form of clinical notes and recommendations for the GP. This would allow GPs to discuss the recommendations with the patient and family

Hum, S., et al. (2014),

Canada

Qualitative

Academic health sciences centres, community

academic hospitals

GPs and specialists

n = 12,

GPs (n = 6), female (n = 4), average experience 17.5 years, specialists (n = 6)

Interviews to explore the perceived roles and attitudes towards dementia care from the perspectives of GPs and specialists

GPs show greater confidence in initial management of dementia and refer to a specialist for management of behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia, for prescribing psychotropics, for diagnosis of atypical dementias, management of complex, co-morbid conditions, or a patient or a family caregiver’s request

Communication is usually one-way. Interactions between GPs and specialists depend on the individual physicians

Risco, E.,

et al. (2016),

Spain

Qualitative

PwD, HCPs caregiver

n = 37,

PwD (n = 7), female (n = 4), mean age 74.2 years; family caregivers (n = 11), mean age 78.3 years, wives (n = 7), husbands (n = 3), son (n = 1); HCPs (n = 19) including GPs (n = 4), mean age 41.2 years

Focus group discussions to identify barriers and facilitators in dementia care

Inadequate communication between HCP, especially when PwD move from one provider to another

Robinson, A., et al. (2009),

Australia

Qualitative

GP setting, nursing service, nursing homes, community

GPs, HCPs

n = 84,

GPs n = 7, other HCPs (n = 77)

Focus group discussions to address issues related to availability and transfer of information and information needs

Lack of communication between service providers leading to inefficiencies in service provision. Most providers complain about an uncoordinated service delivery system due to the lack of information sharing

Tuijt, R., et al. (2021),

UK

Systematic review of

qualitative studies

PwD, HCPs caregiver

29 included papers concerning 27 studies. PwD n = 261 (median 7 per study), carers n = 444 (median 11.5), HCPs including GPs n = 530 (median 12)

Identify the experiences of health care services as well as facilitating or hindering factors for functioning triads

Inclusion of PwD is beneficial, especially in early stages when planning is needed. Adapt activities to maintain independence of PwD and “acceptable” risks were tolerated if they were thought to improve mental and physical well-being. Establishing a triad in dementia care

Good communication among professionals improved support and treatment of PwD, as well as facilitated appropriate and timely resource allocation and effective collaboration and care coordination

Walker, R.,

et al. (2018),

Australia

Qualitative

Home setting

PwD with mild dementia, caregiver

n = 16,

PwD (n = 9), male (n = 5), average age 80 years

caregivers (n = 7)

Interviews to determine how PwD and caregiver experience dementia assessment services

Diagnosis within the last three months; not made in primary care

GP as an important contact during assessment of dementia providing clarity and comfort, giving support and information both pre- and post-diagnosis

Wheatley, A., et al. (2021),

England and Wales

Qualitative

primary care, secondary mental health, third sector, social care, NHS clinical commissioning groups

GPs, HCPs, PwD, caregiver

Interviews, focus group discussions, observation to explore barriers to providing post-diagnostic support

Effective communication and coordination among health care professionals are crucial to provide high-quality post-diagnostic support