Dementia

Dementia affects approximately 750,000 people in the UK (Alzheimer's Society 2005) and there are about 180,000 new cases every year in England and Wales (MRC 2005). However, it is acknowledged that there is often under recognition and under response to the treatment of dementia in primary care. This month's review focuses on two papers that highlight some of the complexities of dementia care and the challenges it poses for primary health care professionals.

Obstacles to shared care for patients with dementia: A qualitative study

This qualitative study explored specialist and generalist health care professionals' perceptions of the scope for shared care, defined as shared responsibility, of people with dementia. The data was collected before the April 2004 deadline, by which time all primary care trusts in England were meant to have shared care protocols in place for antidementia medication. Semi-structured interviews were developed from a review of the current literature and were conducted with 39 GPs and 30 specialists.

A purposive sample was chosen to reflect inner-city, urban, suburban and rural areas in England with the exception of one area in Scotland. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed by three individuals from different disciplines to offset any potential analytical bias. The data was coded and...