%0 Journal Article
%T Exploring Healthcare Providers’ Views on Cognitive Assessment in Geriatric Care
%A Naganandini Raju
%J Annals of Pharmacy Education, Safety, and Public Health Advocacy
%@ 3108-4850
%D 2024
%V 4
%N 1
%R 10.51847/OHbxZJ6ejX
%P 29-42
%X Dementia presents a pressing health issue worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a post-conflict LMIC with a fragmented healthcare system, currently lacks standardized national policies, prevalence data, and coordinated dementia services. This study examines how healthcare providers perceive and approach dementia care, identifying challenges and feasible improvements tailored to BiH’s healthcare environment. A qualitative cross-sectional design was applied in primary care settings across BiH. 25 professionals participated, including family physicians (n = 10), nurses (n = 10), and psychologists (n = 5). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, structured by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Dementia management in BiH is largely reactive and mainly initiated after family concerns. The use of cognitive assessment tools (e.g., MoCA, MMSE) was inconsistent and often hindered by a lack of formal training, institutional variability, and the absence of national protocols. Many participants expressed limited confidence in addressing dementia-related issues. Additionally, societal stigma and misconceptions about dementia being a normal aspect of aging contributed to delayed diagnoses and underutilization of available services. Gaps in epidemiological data and uncoordinated care structures further complicate these issues. There is an urgent need to strengthen dementia care in BiH through context-specific, realistic interventions. Suggested priorities include developing locally relevant clinical guidelines, improving early detection through culturally sensitive tools, reestablishing community care models, enhancing provider education, and promoting public awareness. Multi-sector collaboration is key to creating a more responsive and sustainable dementia care system.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/exploring-healthcare-providers-views-on-cognitive-assessment-in-geriatric-care-4lnzhkz5yrhldeh