Current Practice in the Referral of Individuals with Suspected Dementia for Neuroimaging by General Practitioners in Ireland and Wales.

Objectives: While early diagnosis of dementia is important, the question arises whether general practitioners (GPs) should engage in direct referrals. The current study investigated current referral practices for neuroimaging in dementia, access to imaging modalities and investigated related GP training in Ireland and North Wales.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to GPs in the programme regions which included approximately two thirds of all GPs in the Republic of Ireland and all general practitioners in North Wales.

Neuroimaging referral for dementia diagnosis: The specialist's perspective in Ireland.

Background: Neuroimaging is an increasingly important tool in the diagnostic workup of dementia. Neurologists, geriatricians, and old-age psychiatrists are involved in key tasks in the diagnostic process, frequently referring patients with suspected dementia for neuroimaging.

Methods: The research design was a postal survey of all geriatricians, old-age psychiatrists, and neurologists in the Republic of Ireland (N = 176) as identified by the Irish Medical Directory 2011-2012 and supplementary listings.