Objectives: To determine the acceptability of dementia screening in two populations of older adults in different primary care settings.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of consecutive patients presenting for primary care appointments in the Duke University Health System (n = 152) or Durham VA Medical Center (n = 193) were evaluated face to face using the Dementia Screening and Perceived Harms (SAPH) questionnaire.
Results: Overall, 81% of primary care patients indicated that they would want to be screened to determine if they are developing dementia. After exposure to possible risks and benefits of screening, 86% of patients indicated they would like to be screened. The SAPH was easy to use and contained five relevant and cohesive domains. The items most associated with a desire for dementia screening were male gender, acceptance of other types of screening, and a belief that a treatment for dementia exists.
Conclusions: Primary care patients in two different health care systems indicated they would like to be screened for dementia. The SAPH was easy to use and contains cohesive domains.
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.