How feasible is it to introduce routine cognitive screening in a prison setting?: a six-stage scoping review

Abstract

People in prison have a right to the same quality of care as those in the community, however, this remains a challenge. The numbers of older people with complex health care needs including cognitive impairment are rising. The aim of this paper is to explore the feasibility of research recommendations to implement routine cognitive screening for dementia in prisons. A six-stage scoping review that included a three stage stakeholder consultation exercise with prison healthcare professionals was conducted. Six papers met the inclusion criteria. Research suggested screening tools that were appropriate for prison populations needed to be validated to identify effectively older prisoners vulnerable to adverse health outcomes. The consultation exercise was a formal data collection process. It explored the feasibility, benefits and barriers to introducing cognitive screening for older prisoners in prisons. The views of healthcare professionals supported much of the published evidence, in that the introduction of cognitive screening was feasible for those sentenced and over 55 years. Existing evidence-based dementia care pathways if implemented could support staff to take a routine and robust approach to pre and post diagnostic dementia care. Future research could evaluate how these work in specific practice contexts.