A new report from the Geriatric Society of America (GSA) summarizes findings on the readiness of primary care providers to implement digital cognitive assessment (DCA) for use in the diagnostic process for cognitive impairment and dementia.
Although the clinical literature consistently emphasizes early detection as a key tool in the management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, subtle changes in cognition remain difficult to detect. Current reliance on analog, paper-based screening introduces a level of subjectivity and coarseness in the data, which can potentially miss subtle markers of early stage decline. ”
Dr. Lisa C. McGuire, FAPA, FGSA, GSA Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Practice Innovation
He added that there is emerging evidence to suggest that digitizing assessments could improve the continuum of care. By providing detailed insights into cognitive trajectories, DCA may facilitate earlier treatment interventions and more consistent care coordination, ultimately enhancing dementia care and improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
This new report, Advances in Cognitive Care: Clinician Awareness, Attitudes, and Interest in Digital Cognitive Assessment for Cognitive Assessment, was commissioned by the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease and is based on a survey of healthcare providers conducted in August and September 2025 by GSA and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Provides important information on integrating digital tools to reduce clinician burden and improve diagnostic accuracy. Insights from these studies have revealed both the potential and practical challenges of incorporating DCA into daily clinical practice, and identified key priorities to enable broader adoption.
“The number of undiagnosed dementia cases highlights the need to modernize screening methods for cognitive impairment,” McGuire said. “This report distills complex feedback from frontline clinicians into actionable insights and helps prepare primary care teams for a more efficient and timely diagnostic experience.”
The survey found that nearly 9 in 10 (88%) AAFP respondents and nearly 8 in 10 (77%) GSA respondents reported using standardized paper assessments. However, survey results indicate that healthcare providers are ready and willing to implement DCA in their practices, with more than 95% of respondents in both groups reporting either very or some interest in using DCA in their practices. Additionally, the survey revealed that clinicians want more support to do so.
Key priorities identified to accelerate DCA adoption include:
- Seamless integration into existing electronic medical records and workflow systems.
- Guidance and consistency for coding, billing, and payer coverage.
- Educational needs: Practical training, continuing medical education, and clinical guidelines to enhance confidence in DCA selection and interpretation.
This new report updates and enhances GSA’s flagship resource, the GSA KAER Toolkit for Brain Health, leveraging the KAER framework (Kickstart the Conversation, Assess Cognitive Impairment, Evaluate Dementia, and Refer to Community Resources) to improve the delivery of brain health care. The GSA KAER toolkit supports primary care teams in taking a comprehensive, interprofessional, and person-centered approach to discussing brain health, detecting cognitive impairment, diagnosing dementia, and connecting individuals to community-based supports. This toolkit provides practical strategies, educational materials, and validated clinical tools designed to integrate into primary care workflows, while also serving as a resource for educators and students in fields such as medicine, nursing, and social work.
This report on DCA complements previous GSA research on blood-based biomarkers as an evolving diagnostic for dementia and extends the GSA KAER toolkit to incorporate the latest innovations in diagnostics.
sauce:
Gerontological Society of America
