title: Subjective memory impairment in general practice : Short overview and design of a mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Public awareness for dementia is rising and patients with concerns about forgetfulness are not uncommon in general practice. For the general practitioner (GP) subjectively perceived memory impairment (SMI) also offers a chance to broach the issue of cognitive function with the patient. This may support GPs' patient-centered care in terms of a broader frailty concept.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  What is SMI (definition, operationalization, prevalence and burden)? Which conceptions and approaches do GPs have regarding SMI?
  
  
  METHODS
  Narrative overview of recent SMI criteria and results, selective utilization of results from a systematic literature search on GP dementia care, non-systematic search regarding SMI in general practice, deduction of a study design from the overview and development according to international standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies revealed that approximately 60% of GP patients aged >74 reported a declining memory, every sixth person had concerns about this aspect and only relatively few seek medical advice. Concerns about SMI are considered a risk factor for future dementia. Specific general practice conceptions about SMI could not be identified in the literature. Using guidelines for mixed methods research, the design of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study is presented, which should reveal different attitudes of GPs towards SMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective memory impairment (SMI) is a common feature and troubles a considerable proportion of patients. Neuropsychiatric research is progressing, but for the transfer of the SMI concept into routine practice, involvement of GP research is necessary. A new study aims to make a contribution to this.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Practice (ifam) / Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. pentzek@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pentzek
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Practice (ifam) / Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leve
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Practice (ifam) / Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leucht
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Attitudes of health personnel; Cognition; Dementia; Health services research; Physician-patient relations