Aim: The present studyinvestigated the roles expected of Dementia Support Doctors (DSDs) in dealing with complex cases.
Methods: The participants were attendees of the education programs organised by the Center for Promoting Dementia Support and the Medical Center for Dementia at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital from April 2021 to March 2022. A self-administered postal questionnaire survey was conducted. The questionnaire included items on the basic attributes of the participants, their experiences with the issues associated with complex cases, and role expectations of consulting/collaboration partners when dealing with complex cases.
Results: The valid response rate was 49.3%. DSDs were expected by primary physicians, Community General Support Center staff and administrative staff to diagnose dementia and give advice on support strategies for complex cases. Primary physicians further expected them to initiate pharmacotherapy with anti-dementia drugs and address the pharmacotherapy needs for managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia. It was also found that DSDs' experience with complex cases was comparable to that of the staff at the Medical Centers for Dementia. Of note, DSDs were mentioned less frequently as consulting/collaboration partners than Medical Centers for Dementia and primary physicians.
Conclusions: The study showed that DSDs play an important role in dealing with complex cases. The roles of DSDs and ways to collaborate with them need to be communicated through interprofessional education.
Keywords: Complex cases; Dementia Support Doctors; Interprofessional education; Medical Center for Dementia; The issues faced by complex cases.