Innovative and Collaborative care models in Dementia-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The discussed presentation outlined various strategies and models being explored at Banner Alzheimer's Institute to enhance dementia care and geriatric psychiatric practice. Dr. Alan Anderson initiated the discussion, emphasizing the need for improved collaboration between specialists and primary care providers, especially given the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's and the challenges in diagnosing and managing it efficiently, particularly in rural areas. The institute utilizes an array of programs like Project ECHO and Dementia Care Partners to extend specialized knowledge and practices beyond urban centers. Project ECHO, explained by Dr. Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, utilizes a hub-and-spoke model to disseminate best practices and equip primary care providers with necessary dementia care skills, emphasizing the value of collaborative, continuous case-based learning. While effective, the model struggles with participation and funding sustainability. Dr. Pallavi Joshi detailed the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic’s goals, focusing on training non-specialist providers and residents to be capable of managing geriatric psychiatric patients in the absence of geriatric psychiatrists. She highlighted barriers in accessing mental health services for older adults and the critical role of location in improving treatment engagement. The discussion also recognized the broader challenges faced by primary healthcare, including inefficient systemic communication and reimbursement hurdles. The collective efforts underline the need for innovative, sustainable healthcare models to manage the geriatric population's growing needs, leveraging collaborative methodologies to address both speciality resource gaps and primary care burdens.

Keywords

Alzheimer's

dementia care

geriatric psychiatry

Banner Alzheimer's Institute

Project ECHO

hub-and-spoke model

collaborative learning

primary care

rural healthcare

mental health access

healthcare models

specialist collaboration