Feasibility of an Alzheimer’s Disease Care Pathway: Findings from an Educational Pilot in 2 Healthcare Systems

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impacts an estimated 7.2 million people aged 65 and older in the United States and remains undiagnosed in numerous additional patients. Earlier detection requires awareness and established care pathways for timely screening, diagnosis, and referrals in the primary care setting. Methods: A consensus AD care pathway was developed by 8 multidisciplinary clinicians and piloted across 2 health systems representing 3 geographies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC) and Midwestern University (AZ and IL). Twenty primary care practitioners (PCP) completed baseline surveys before receiving disease state and care pathway education. Subsequent 1- and 3-month surveys assessed understanding, confidence, and experience diagnosing, screening, referring, and implementing suggested AD practices. Results: At baseline, 15% of respondents felt sufficiently trained on AD referral guidance, and 10% felt trained on the use of noninvasive tests to inform referrals. After 3 months, 85% agreed or strongly agreed receiving sufficient training on appropriate referrals for patients with suspected AD, and 90% agreed or strongly agreed receiving sufficient training on utilizing noninvasive tests to inform referrals and detect AD. Conclusion: A standardized AD care pathway improved PCP disease awareness and confidence assessing patients suspected of having AD. Earlier AD detection in primary care may enable prompt intervention and resource accessibility.