Minnesmottagningen.se is the world's first digital memory clinic where individuals can go for an initial assessment of memory and other cognitive functions with the support of nurses and specialists but without having to visit the health service. From this autumn, this care will be publicly funded.
Cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are a growing public health problem. As we live longer, it is expected that more and more people will need to undergo a memory assessment. Every year, 20,000-25,000 people develop dementia. Up to 30-40% of these are never diagnosed and the majority of those who are diagnosed are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease.
In Sweden, there is a national care process, "Person-centred and coherent care process Cognitive impairment in suspected dementia", which is based on the National Board of Health and Welfare's national guidelines in this area. The overall aim of the care process is that more people with cognitive impairment suspected to be cognitive illness should undergo investigations, they should start earlier and with shorter investigation times. To meet this objective and the growing demand for investigation, we need to find innovative approaches based on accessibility, quality and health economics. The pressure for investigation is also expected to increase as stigma is reduced and new and better treatments may be available in the relatively near future.
"We know that many people find it difficult to approach the health service for a proper assessment when there are concerns about cognitive disorders and dementia. It can be nice to have a test of memory and other cognitive functions done in a calm and safe home environment instead," says Dr. Johan Sundelöf, Senior Physician, Specialist in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine atMinnesmottagningen.se
Via Minnesmottagningen.se, the patient will initially have direct contact with a nurse via video call. Patients can then complete the assessment themselves, or with the help of a family member, from home via the app - Minnesmottagningen. After reviewing the medical history, screening for a range of related conditions, cognitive testing and reviewing the family's view of symptom development, the evidence is reviewed by specialists. This is followed by a follow-up meeting with doctors via video call where the results are discussed and possible further investigation and care interventions are planned. The method has been developed by the Swedish company Geras Solutions in cooperation with several health centres and specialist clinics. The clinical content has also been tested at Karolinska University Hospital, among others, with good results.
Through a new agreement as a subcontractor in Region Sörmland, patients throughout the country will benefit from improved availability.
"With Minnesmottagningen.se, a large number of patients will get much better support - on their terms. This will be crucial to meet the care needs in the future," says Vasil Pema, Specialist in General Medicine and Psychiatry and Silvialäkare at Frösjö Vårdcentral, Region Sörmland.
The launch will take place in October via www.minnesmottagningen.se
