Caregiving and dementia/Topics/GPs and medical specialists

GPs and medical specialists in dementia care

Completion status: this resource is ~25% complete.

Plan and progress

1. VIC/TAS DTSC have contributed initial content
2. Working with SA/NT (Diagnosing Dementia) and UTas
3. A 'Needs analysis' has been completed and a literature review to see what medical specialists know about dementia. Currenlty working with VicGP and others to develop an educational tool for GPs. We have also set up professional networks
4. A talk by Dimity Pond on BPSD and dinner was held with overseas trained GPs
5. Talk given about behaviour management for persons with dementia with 25 GPs
6. Links to external content e.g,. Bendigo workshop on issues of ageing and driving a car, working with GPs (short video); needs permission

GPs and dementia care

General practitioners are starting to see more patients with dementia. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners discusses the diagnosis and management of dementia in general practice:

“

As the population ages, dementia is an increasingly important part of general practice. It is important general practitioners are aware of early detection issues, and understand basic screening as well as the possibility of accessing new treatments and community management for patients with dementia.

”

The article, Diagnosis and management of dementia in general practice (reprinted from Australian Family Physician Vol. 33, No. 10, October 2004) discusses the assessment and management of dementia using two case studies. The case studies raise issues about screening and accessing the new drugs for a patient with early dementia, care planning, and the involvement of the carer for a patient with more advanced disease.