Dean's Grand Rounds - Addressing the Dementia Care Gap: Leveraging Primary Care in Low and Middle Income Countries

Mental health services for the elderly are not readily available in many developing countries, and there is a shortage of geriatric psychiatrists. This is a growing concern as the number of ageing people in these countries is increasing, and non-communicable risk factors associated with dementia, such as diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and obesity, are on the rise. Although general psychiatrists, neurologists and family physicians are available, their numbers are small, and they cannot provide comprehensive care for patients with dementia. In this regard, primary care services are better placed to deliver dementia services in low- and middle-income countries. The primary care workforce, including general practitioners and nurses, can be trained to offer holistic care for dementia patients and refer them to psychiatrists. This task-shifting is necessary to triage, treat, and address co-morbid medical and psychiatric disorders among patients with dementia. Moreover, it can provide links to community public health services to reduce risk factors, raise awareness and help communities to take care of patients with dementia.

In collaboration with the World Network of Psychiatric Trainees.