Current status of professional memory clinics, inpatient services, and health professionals in China.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the current status of dementia-specific diagnosis and treatment in China. This national survey was conducted in mainland China from September 2022 to February 2023, with strong support from the Cognitive Disorders Group of the Chinese Society of Neurology, Chinese Medical Association. Among 2721 hospitals surveyed, 244 (8.97%) have dementia-specific clinics (DSCs) and 166 (6.10%) have dementia-specific inpatient departments (DSIDs). Almost all hospitals have brain structural imaging capabilities and basic hematological examinations, but dementia-specific medical staff (DSMS) equipped for DSCs or DSIDs are rare. The proportion of patients with cognitive impairment receiving care through a DSCs or DSIDs is low, and most patients present with advanced (moderate to severe) disease. The survey shows that the proportion of DSCs and DSIDs is low, and the regional distribution varies significantly. Trained DSMS and specialized facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia are inadequate. This study was a multi-center national research to comprehensively investigate the distribution and features of dementia-specific clinics and inpatient departments in mainland China, given that the limited literature was available regarding the dementia-specific centers. The study points to significant regional differences in the distribution of cognitive-specific clinics and inpatient departments in mainland China. More centers in Eastern Regions compared to Western Regions, a greater presence in provincial capitals as opposed to other cities, and a predominance of tertiary hospitals over non-tertiary ones. The aim is to provide data support for advancements in medical research within this field. Domestic dementia patients have inadequate access to specialized medical resources and expert assistance, which significantly contrasts with the growing number of dementia cases in China.