O'Brien K, Coykendall C, Kleid M, Harkins K, Chin N, Clapp JT, Karlawish J. Determinants of Plasma Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Use by Primary Care Providers and Dementia Specialists.
J Gen Intern Med 2024;
39:1713-1720. [PMID:
38169023 PMCID:
PMC11255148 DOI:
10.1007/s11606-023-08583-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The efficiencies of plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers could facilitate early AD diagnosis. Unfortunately, limited knowledge exists about whether and how they would be used by clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and compare determinants of plasma AD biomarker use reported by primary care providers and dementia specialists.
DESIGN
Semi-structured interviews with clinicians organized using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory and analyzed using an iterative coding approach.
PARTICIPANTS
The subjects were internal and family medicine, neurology, and geriatrics providers with varying degrees of expertise in dementia diagnosis and care.
MAIN MEASURES
Factors influencing a clinician's decision to use or not use plasma AD biomarkers in clinical practice.
KEY RESULTS
We interviewed 30 clinicians (16 family or internal medicine providers, 8 geriatricians, and 6 neurologists). Fifteen were dementia specialists. Hesitance to use plasma AD biomarkers was due to perceived lack of effective treatments for AD, limited access to supports, and stigma. Plasma AD biomarkers would be more readily adopted by clinicians with dementia expertise.
CONCLUSIONS
Several factors will influence clinical use of plasma AD biomarkers. Some of them may inform the design of interventions to promote the effective and appropriate clinical translation of these tests.
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