Patient-physician communication needs improvement to appropriately address Alzheimer’s

Key takeaways:

• Both patients and physicians report barriers to addressing cognitive issues, which may delay AD diagnosis and treatment.
• Communication about memory concerns should occur early and as soon as symptoms arise.

With the increasing number of available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, it is important for patients with cognitive concerns to openly communicate with their doctors, the Alzheimer’s Association said in a press release.

Findings from the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report suggest that many patients with memory problems do not discuss these issues with their primary care physician, delaying diagnosis and potential treatment, according to the release.

“Providing the best possible care for Alzheimer's disease requires conversations about memory at the earliest point of concern and a knowledgeable, accessible care team that includes physician specialists to diagnose, monitor disease progression and treat when appropriate,” Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer of the Alzheimer's Association, said in the release. “For the first time in nearly two decades, there is a class of treatments emerging to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease. It's more important than ever for individuals to act quickly if they have memory concerns or experience symptoms.”

The report indicated that patients may delay talking to their doctor about their concerns because they think they may be misdiagnosed or believe the symptoms may go away. Additionally, the report found that most people would prefer talking to a friend about their cognitive impairment rather than a medical professional.

According to the release, race and ethnicity also played a role in barriers to diagnosis, with Black Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Hispanic Spanish-speaking Americans preferring holistic treatment over medical intervention or medication.

Aside from patient reservations, physicians may delay diagnoses by not initiating conversations about cognitive decline, instead expecting family members to address concerns, according to the release.

“Both physicians and patients need to make discussions about cognition a routine part of interactions,” Nicole Purcell, DO, MS, a neurologist and senior director of clinical practice at the Alzheimer's Association, said in the release. “These new treatments treat mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease with confirmation of amyloid, so it's really important that conversations between patients and doctors happen early or as soon as symptoms occur, while treatment is still possible and offers the greatest benefit.”