Community Pharmacists expand access to cognitive function assessments with Cognivue Clarity™ device

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AbstractBackgroundMost initial cognitive assessments are performed by primary care physicians (PCPs). With the growing senior population reaching the age of increased risk for Alzheimer’s (65 yrs), coupled with the projected shortage of up to 48,000 PCPs by 2034 (IHS Market Ltd. AAMC;2021), use of pharmacy‐based cognitive assessments can greatly expand access. Pharmacists are more accessible than PCPs (Tsuyuki et al. 2018) and are among the most trusted healthcare professionals.MethodMember pharmacies of CPESN USA were selected to conduct standardized cognitive function tests using the Cognivue Clarity® device. Study participants were ≥65 yrs and had the ability to complete a survey about their cognitive screening history and PCP contact information. Site education and training were conducted by the Avant Institute and Cognivue. Sites were surveyed following data collection. Study was funded by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and occurred August 2022 ‐ December 2022.ResultNineteen CPESN pharmacy sites from 13 states, 10 within medically underserved or rural areas, submitted 425 eCare plans that were eligible for analysis. Less than 16% (67/425) patients reported having a previous cognitive assessment, with 81% (343/425) reporting this was their first cognitive assessment, and the remainder reported unknown. Approximately 73% (312/425) of patients had Cognivue clinical overall scores outside the normal range and were referred to their PCP. Site surveys post‐data collection showed that >83% and >72% of pharmacies rated ease of use of the Cognivue Clarity device, and education and training, to be an extremely significant or significant contributor to study success, respectively.ConclusionPharmacists are often overlooked as a vital link to assessing the cognitive health of seniors. With two FDA‐cleared immunotherapies available, it is critical that seniors are aware of their cognitive status so they can seek research studies, further evaluations, and/or medications. This study showed that with training and use of Cognitive Clarity, pharmacists can easily provide seniors with an objective cognitive function assessment. Accordingly, widespread implementation of pharmacy‐based computerized cognitive testing could greatly expand access to meet the brain health needs of the growing senior population.