Understanding Emergency Department Conversations for Dementia Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Justine Seidenfeld, Matthew Tucker, Melissa Harris-Gersten, Gemmae M Fix, Ivonne Guzman, Nina R Sperber, Susan N Hastings
Primary Institution: Durham VA Health Care System
Hypothesis
This study aims to characterize current practices in emergency department disposition conversations for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
Conclusion
The study design will provide insights into how emergency department disposition occurs for persons living with dementia, potentially informing more patient-centered interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- Almost 40% of persons living with dementia make an emergency department visit each year.
- Effective interventions to address the lack of best practices in shared decision-making in this context will require real-world data.
- The study aims to learn more about how disposition conversations take place in a real-world setting.
Takeaway
This study is trying to understand how doctors talk to patients with dementia and their families in the emergency room, so they can make better decisions together.
Methodology
The study will use ethnographic methods, including direct observation and follow-up qualitative interviews with patient and care partner dyads.
Limitations
The study may have limited generalizability as it takes place in a Veterans Affairs setting, which may not reflect other populations.
Participant Demographics
Participants will include older adults aged 65 and over with a documented diagnosis of dementia, primarily veterans.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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