The national dementia workforce study

Abstract

People with dementia have complex medical, functional, and social needs and experience highly variable care quality and outcomes across the U.S. health care system. Community-based physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants serve critical roles in diagnosing and managing dementia, yet little is known about this workforce and factors contributing to variability in care. The National Dementia Workforce Study (NDWS), sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, is conducting large nationally representative surveys of health care workers who provide care to people with dementia in nursing homes, assisted living communities, home care, and community medical practices. In this report, we summarize the methods for one of those surveys, the NDWS Community Clinician Survey, which surveys community-based physicians and advanced practice providers specializing in primary care, psychiatry, and neurology who provide clinical care to people with dementia. This survey captures comprehensive data on these clinicians, including demographics, training, and licensure; where and how they practice; their patient panels; processes of care for dementia diagnosis and management; and job factors influencing retention and turnover. These survey data can be linked with Medicare claims and other administrative data sources to allow for expansive research on this workforce and the care they provide. In turn, this will generate insights into modifiable factors that can be targeted to prepare, expand, and strengthen the clinical workforce to optimize care and meet demand for the growing population of people with dementia.