Background
The assessment and diagnosis stage is one of the most challenging and uncertain points in the dementia care journey. People experiencing memory problems and their families often face emotional, practical and informational challenges as they navigate a complex health and care system. Integrated care has been promoted internationally as a way of improving coordination between health and social care services and providing more person-centred support. While integrated post-diagnostic dementia care models are increasingly being developed, there is limited understanding of how integrated care pathways operate during the assessment and diagnosis phase. A comprehensive overview of existing models of care and how they support people through this stage is currently lacking.
Aims and Objectives
This project aims to identify and understand models of care used during dementia assessment and diagnosis across integrated care pathways.
The objectives are to:
- Map existing models of care used during dementia assessment and diagnosis.
- Characterise the key components of these models and how integration is achieved in practice.
- Examine outcomes associated with different approaches to integrated dementia assessment and diagnosis.
- Explore how integrated services help people and families navigate dementia diagnostic pathways.
- Identify gaps in the evidence base and inform future research, service development and policy.
Methods
This study will undertake a scoping review of published literature relating to models of care for dementia assessment and diagnosis. Researchers will systematically identify, review and synthesise evidence to understand the range of integrated care approaches currently reported in the literature.
To strengthen the relevance of the findings, the research team will work with the NIHR ARC Yorkshire & Humber Knowledge Mobilisation and Lived Experience teams to establish two stakeholder groups:
People affected by memory problems or dementia, including family members and individuals currently undergoing assessment.
Health and care professionals, including representatives from Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), memory clinics, primary care and community support services.
Stakeholders will help validate emerging findings, identify any missing models of care, refine interpretation of the evidence and prioritise future research and service development questions.
Further Information
This project is part of the NIHR ARC Yorkshire & Humber Health and Care in our Ageing Society theme and focuses on Dementia.
The review will address an important evidence gap by providing a clearer understanding of what integrated dementia assessment pathways look like in practice and how they influence outcomes for individuals and families. Findings will help healthcare providers, commissioners, policymakers and researchers improve dementia care delivery and enhance experiences during the assessment and diagnosis process.
The project will also explore issues relating to inclusion and inequalities by reporting demographic characteristics presented within the evidence base and considering how factors such as ethnicity may influence experiences of dementia assessment and diagnosis.
Outputs are expected by December 2026 and findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, stakeholder engagement activities and ARC Yorkshire & Humber communication channels.
Study duration: April 2026 to March 2027.