DemStepCare: Risk-stratified support for primary care-based dementia care - evaluation from general practitioner's view

Objective The innovation fund project DemStepCare aimed to optimize multi-professional care through case management, risk stratification, and crisis outpatient clinic. Here, the evaluation results from the perspective of the general practitioners are presented. Methods A quantitative survey was carried out at three time points regarding acceptance, benefit assessment and sensitivity to dementia of the general practitioners. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted. Results Satisfaction with the overall project was high. Added value and relief factors were perceived and more effective and stable dementia care was achieved through collaboration with case management. Physicians reported increased subjective competence in diagnostics and disease management. Conclusions The results confirm the benefit and effectiveness of DemStepCare from general practitioner's perspective.