Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29431130›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2018

Proactive approaches to identifying dementia and dementia risk; a qualitative study of public attitudes and preferences.

Louise Robinson, Claire Dickinson, Eleni Magklara, Lisa Newton, Laura Prato, Claire Bamford

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Exploring the views of key stakeholders on dementia risk prediction in primary care in areas of socioeconomic deprivation: a qualitative study.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Public attitudes toward dementia risk prediction: A mixed-methods study.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025
    Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Review
  13. Article
  14. The clinical practice of risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease: A precision medicine approach.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2018
    Observational
  15. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Louise RobinsonInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-0209-2503
Claire DickinsonInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Eleni MagklaraInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Lisa NewtonInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Laura PratoInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Claire BamfordInstitute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Funding

Department of Health NIHR-RP-011-043
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe aim of this study was to critically explore the views of the public about the acceptability and feasibility of proactive approaches to earlier dementia diagnosis and also identification of people at high risk of dementia.

designQualitative study using task group methodology and thematic data analysis.

settingTask groups were held either at the university (n=5) or at a carers' centre (n=1).

participantsA convenience sample of 31 of 54 participants identified by local non-statutory agencies took part in a task group. All were aged between 40 years and 80 years, 21 were women and 10men participated.

resultsDespite the use of task group methodology, participants expressed limited understandings of dementia and confusion between proactive approaches. Nevertheless, they highlighted a range of potential benefits and limitations of proactive approaches and the ethical issues raised. There was a preference to embed risk assessment within routine health checks, which focused on achieving a healthier lifestyle, rather than specifically on dementia. Participants emphasised the need to ensure informed consent prior to use of proactive approaches and to provide appropriate support. They also suggested alternative approaches that could potentially facilitate the early detection of dementia or reduce risk at a population level.

conclusionsAs international policy on dementia shifts towards a prevention agenda there is growing interest in identifying those at risk of developing dementia. This study provides useful insights into the acceptability of the use of such proactive approaches among the public. The introduction of proactive approaches to dementia identification raises complex practical and ethical issues, particularly in the context of low public understanding of dementia. The importance of better quality information about dementia (and the likelihood of developing dementia) and provision of psychological support for those undergoing risk assessment were highlighted.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePatient PreferencePublic OpinionAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDementiaEnglandFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchRisk Assessmentdementiaorganisation of health servicesrisk management

Identifiers

PMID29431130
PMCPMC5829774

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.