Patients with uncommon dementia symptoms are being diagnosed and treated earlier at Logan Hospital thanks to a collaborative approach to caring for older adults.
Geriatric Registrar Dr Laura Chan and Lead Geriatrician Dr Kannan Natarajan have initiated bi-monthly case conferences where a team of experts, including a radiologist, nuclear medicine physician, psychiatrist and others, review cases of patients with less-typical cognitive symptoms.
Dr Chan said when the group reviewed neuroimaging (brain scans), they utilised their professional expertise to collectively arrive at a diagnosis.
“To date, 18 patients have been discussed in the Neuroradiology Multidisciplinary Case Conference (MDCC) and this has resulted in an earlier diagnosis and more rapid treatment and management for most of these patients."
Dr Natajaran, who has eight years' experience running similar meetings at a previous workplace, said there was no current ‘gold standard’ test for identifying dementia but studies favoured a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to diagnosis.
“The purpose of the MDCC is to arrive at a consensus diagnosis,” he said.
“Early and correct diagnosis of dementia means patients can start treatment quickly which can improve memory, behaviour and quality of life in a way that really makes a difference.
“The clarity in diagnosis provides carers time to adjust to the changes in a patient’s function, mood and personality that can occur, and allows both the patient and the caregivers to learn about dementia, set realistic expectations and plan for their future together."
Doctors Chan and Natarajan said they hoped other hospital and health services and disciplines would take part in the meeting series throughout 2024, to be able to provide patients with the most efficient and comprehensive care.