The process and organizational characteristics of memory clinics in Israel in 2007.
We previously described the characteristics and activities of 25 memory clinics in Israel in 1998 using a mail survey. Questionnaires assessing the administrative structure of the clinics, patient characteristics, processes and methods used, and outcomes of the assessment were mailed again in 2007 to 35 memory clinics. Overall, the general operating characteristics of the clinics in 2007 were found to be similar to those reported in the previous survey conducted in 1998. The assessment process in 2007 was shorter than in 1998 (mean time=1.92 and 3.12 h, respectively), although both surveys were based on an interdisciplinary team, including a physician, a nurse and a social worker. However, in 2007 the teams were more wide-ranging. A wider variety of instruments were reported in the more recent survey. Most of the clinics in both surveys reported that family members were involved at all stages of the assessment. Medication treatment was the main outcome reported by the clinics in both surveys. There has been a development in the process and organizational characteristics of memory clinics in Israel over the years, probably as a consequence of the development of knowledge in the area of cognitive deterioration.
Werner
Perla
P
Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. Electronic address: werner@research.haifa.ac.il.
Goldstein
Dovrat
D
Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel.
Heinik
Jeremia
J
Margoletz Psychogeriatric Center, Ichilov Hospital, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data