[p2–499]: How Does Utilization of Health Care Services Change in People With Dementia Served by Dementia Care Networks in Germany: Results of the Demnet‐d‐study
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: There is some scientific evidence, that a Dementia Care Network (DCN) can be effective in improving treatment and care for People with Dementia (PwD), especially in integrating people into the specialized dementia care system in Germany. Furthermore, existing DCN seem to serve a diverse population of PwD in primary care, highlighting their importance as a health service infrastructure. However, there is no common definition for DCN. They are very heterogeneous and there is no general, longitudinal evidence for the effects of DCN on PwD served by them. Therefore, we describe changes in utilization of health services by people with dementia served by dementia care networks in Germany and factors associated with those changes over time. Primary data was assessed in n=560 people with dementia and their caregiver supported by DCNs in Germany; sociodemography, clinical variables, utilization of services; DCN were characterized according to their governance. The study design was an observational study with face-to-face interviews at two time points over a period of one year. Data was assessed via semi-structured interviews by trained interviewers at the participants’ homes; descriptive statistics and significance testing for differences from baseline to follow-up, logistic regression modeling to identify predictive variables for utilization at follow-up. Utilization of health services by PwD served in DCN is consistently higher than in the general population and does not significantly change over time. The strongest predictor of utilization of any service after one year was the use of this service at baseline (OR from 3.23 to 44.16). Higher activities of daily functioning increased the chances to utilize specialist physicians (OR=1.32) or occupational therapy (OR=1.24) significantly. Being a female decreased chances to utilize specialist physicians (OR=0.37) and increased the chances to utilize no services (OR=0.57). PwD benefit from participation in DCN since they do generally utilize health care services more often, physicians should be involved in DCN, the type of network is of less importance for utilization. There is a gender bias in utilization even in this specialized setting.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2765320705