Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40370081›Full record

SynthesisAge and ageing2025

Communication strategies for delivering personalised dementia care and support: a mixed-methods systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Astrid Maria Sunjaya, Tamar Schreiber, Kumud Kantilal, Nathan Davies, Sarah Griffiths

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Age and ageing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–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

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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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

5 authors.

Astrid Maria SunjayaUniversity College London, Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, London, UK.
Tamar SchreiberUCL Medical School, University College London, London, UK.ORCID 0009-0003-4936-6740
Kumud KantilalUniversity College London, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8517-4637
Nathan DaviesQueen Mary University of London, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-7757-5353
Sarah GriffithsUniversity College London, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2652-3163

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGiven the significant burden and rising prevalence of dementia, it is essential that personalised care is available to people with dementia (PWD) and their family carers. This involves tailoring support to meet individuals' unique needs and preferences. Effective communication is fundamental to delivering such care, yet dementia impacts communication, posing challenges in meeting individuals' needs.

aimTo understand key communication strategies used by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in delivering personalised dementia care.

methodsA systematic search across MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted (April 2024) without limits on care setting, country or publication date. We identified studies examining communication strategies, barriers, and facilitators for delivering personalised care for PWD and their carers. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Using codebook thematic analysis, a narrative synthesis of findings was developed. RESULTS AND

conclusionThe review included 33 studies, encompassing qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research conducted in hospitals, care homes and community settings. Most studies originate from high-income countries and care homes, limiting generalisability. Three themes on communication strategies for delivering personalised dementia care were developed: understanding the person, their family and their care context; communication techniques (verbal, nonverbal and use of external aids); and support for the workforce. The review underscores the importance of combining practical, emotional and relational approaches while highlighting current gaps, such as the need for better workforce support and more research in primary care and culturally diverse contexts.

Indexed as

CaregiversCommunicationDementiaPrecision MedicineHumanscommunicationdementiahealthcareolder peoplepersonalised caresystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40370081
PMCPMC12078768

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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.