Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jun 8, 2021
Open Peer Review Period: Jun 8, 2021 - Aug 3, 2021
Date Accepted: Sep 18, 2021
Date Submitted to PubMed: Dec 6, 2021
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
The (non)sense of computer tools in memory clinics: an international survey study assessing the views of professionals, patients and care partners.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Computer tools based on artificial intelligence could aid clinicians in memory clinics in several ways, for instance by supporting diagnostic decision-making, online cognitive testing, and communicate diagnosis and prognosis.
Objective:
We aimed to identify preferences and main barriers and facilitators for using computer tools in memory clinics of all end-users, i.e., clinicians, patients, and care partners.
Methods:
Between July and October 2020, we sent out an invitation to an online survey to clinicians using the European Alzheimer’s Disease Centers network and Dutch Memory Clinic network, in which 109 clinicians participated (45±10y, 49%F). A second survey was created for patients and care partners. They were invited via Alzheimer Europe, Alzheimer’s Society UK, the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort, and the Amsterdam Ageing Cohort. A total of 50 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia (73±8y, 34%F) and 46 care partners (65±12y, 54%F) participated.
Results:
The vast majority of clinicians reported a willingness to use diagnostic and prognostic computer tools. User-friendliness and increasing diagnostic accuracy were reported as the main factors to stimulate the adoption of a tool. Tools should also be time-saving and provide clear information on reliability and validity. Inadequate integration with electronic patient records and fear of losing important clinical information were most frequently indicated as barriers. Patients and care partners were equally positive about the use of computer tools by clinicians, both for diagnosis and prognosis. In addition, most of them thought favorably of the possibility of using tools themselves
Conclusions:
This study shows that computer tools in memory clinics are positively valued by most end-users. For further development and implementation, it is essential to overcome technical and practical barriers whilst paying utmost attention to the reliability and validity of a tool.
Citation
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Copyright
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