University of Twente Student Theses
An early assessment of the Flowchart Dementia in general practice
Terpstra, J.M.R. (2016) An early assessment of the Flowchart Dementia in general practice.
|
PDF
2MB |
| Abstract: | Introduction: The population of the Netherlands is ageing rapidly. Consequently, the number of people diagnosed with dementia is increasing. Statistics show that in January 2011 there were 51.900 people diagnosed with dementia by a general practitioner, of which 19.900 men and 32.000 women. When diagnosed in an early stage, the effects of treatment plans and pharmacological treatments are likely to have the maximum impact. In 2013 a collaboration started between several organisations in the region Twente. Together their goal is to increase the expertise concerning dementia. The expectation is that the provided care will be better for patients and their family when health care providers have a better understanding of the disease. The flowchart dementia is a tool used to support general practitioners and nurse specialists in diagnosing dementia. The flowchart describes the steps a general practitioner can take and the process of referring to a specialist. After the implementation of the flowchart in the pilot program, the facilitators and barriers of the flowchart will be determined. The effects, as perceived by the GPs, will also be evaluated. Methods: A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was collected to get more insights in the perceived effects of the flowchart dementia. The questionnaire consists of open and closed questions. The closed questions are based on the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovation (MIDI) questionnaire. The open questions were formulated to receive extra information about the effects for the GP and the patient when using the flowchart dementia. The results of the closed questions were used to determine the facilitators and barriers when using the flowchart dementia. This data was analysed to see if there are important factors according to the GPs that are of influence on the usage of the flowchart. The results of the open questions were coded and systematically analysed to gain insights in the opinions of the GPs. Results: A total of 22 responses were used in the analysis. According to the GPs the flowchart dementia is easy to use and a useful addition to their usual care. However, several barriers cause the innovation not to be used in every general practice. The overall comments made by the GPs were positive. Conclusion: The overall effects for both the patient and the GP are positive. The flowchart dementia has made some promising steps toward more expertise of GPs concerning dementia in the region Twente. There are still steps that can be taken to improve the implementation process, but the overall the opinion of the GPs is positive. The recommendation is to further distribute this flowchart and give training to every GP in the region Twente, to stimulate the GPs to use it. More research is needed in a later stage to investigate the actual health effects for the patients. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Clients: | THOON |
| Faculty: | TNW: Science and Technology |
| Subject: | 01 general works, 44 medicine, 77 psychology, 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Health Sciences MSc (66851) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/70700 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page