FC32: Consultant characteristics and care pathways in a Memory Unit in Chile

Abstract

Summary: Specialist Memory Clinics play a crucial role in evaluating individuals suspected of dementia. While these clinics have long been established in developed economies, their introduction has only recently begun in developing countries. In Chile, Memory Clinics were implemented as part of the Chilean Memory Plan and the inclusion of dementia in the General Regime of Explicit Guarantees in Health. This legal framework ensures access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with dementia. The Chilean system prioritizes primary care, with specialist care reserved for cases where diagnosis or treatment cannot be adequately addressed at the primary care level. As a result, Memory Units serve only a subset of diagnosed dementia patients. So far, there is a lack of studies on the clinical profiles of patients evaluated in memory clinics and resourceutilization.

Objectives: This study aims to comprehensively describe patient demographics and clinical characteristics while examining the frequency of evaluations needed about their specific diagnoses and comorbidities.

Methods: We analyzed the total number of consultations, considering the primary diagnosis and any comorbidities present. Clinical records were managed using a customized web platform software, which enabled the healthcare team to document all patient interactions, including appointments, medication prescriptions, and care coordination.

Results: CMYN received 1,220 patients (57% women) and 36 caregivers in the first five years. Among the patients, 222 (20%) had mild cognitive impairment, while 622 (57%) had dementia, with 48% diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease dementia and 58% with other types of dementia. More than 75% of patients had less than ten consultations. Patients with dementia had more consultations than those without, as presented in Table 1.

Conclusions: The recent establishment of Memory Clinics in developing countries addresses a crucial gap in specialist care for dementia patients. In our experience, the diagnosis and the number of comorbidities may predict the level of interventions patients require. A more comprehensive understanding of the patient profile and their needs will assist in tailoring resources for implementing memory clinics and estimating the cost of care. Further studies need to address the characteristics of patients that require specialist-levelattention.