The Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Healthcare System Preparedness US Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment Program in primary care: Methodology.

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) pose a growing global health challenge, with cases expected to nearly triple by 2050. Early detection is critical for improving outcomes, yet most cases remain undiagnosed. Integrating routine cognitive assessments into primary care can provide timely access to treatments, and improve disease management and patient outcomes. The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Healthcare System Preparedness (DAC-SP) program created an Early Detection Blueprint (dacblueprint.org), a digital, open-access microsite which translates evidence-based implementation strategies and resources into a practical operational guide for healthcare systems to establish early detection programs in primary care.

METHODS

To help bridge the gap between research and real-world practice, DAC-SP launched the US Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment Program in September 2024. This program supports 10 diverse healthcare systems across the United States through grant funding and a core curriculum including self-directed, peer and expert learning to design, implement, and sustain routine cognitive assessment programs in primary care settings. Informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), program evaluation data will be collected via surveys, monthly implementation reports, and semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using a concurrent mixed-methods program evaluation, this study will assess the implementation outcomes of adoption, implementation, and sustainability of the routine cognitive assessment programs across sites.

RESULTS

The US Early Detection Program is expected to conclude in July of 2026, with sustainability assessments completed by December 2026 and results by March 2027. Findings will include cross-site changes in the number of routine cognitive assessments completed over time and changes in healthcare provider attitudes towards early detection and implementation of adapted clinical workflows. Additional learnings from the US Early Detection Program will include barriers and facilitators to the early detection of cognitive impairment in primary care, and site-specific factors that influenced adoption of routine cognitive assessments across diverse practice settings. Cross-site learnings and feedback will inform revisions to a US-specific version of the Early Detection Blueprint for future US healthcare systems.

CONCLUSION

The DAC-SP US Early Detection Program aims to modernize detection, diagnosis, and care of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders by expanding the routine use of cognitive assessments in primary care and generating actionable insights to drive improvements across the US healthcare landscape.