A recent report from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) examines how prepared primary care providers are to use digital cognitive assessments (DCAs) in diagnosing cognitive impairment and dementia. The findings come from surveys conducted by GSA and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in August and September 2025, commissioned by the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease.
According to the report, "Advancing Cognitive Care: Clinician Awareness, Attitudes, and Interest in Digital Cognitive Assessments for Cognitive Evaluation," most clinicians currently rely on standardized paper assessments. Specifically, 88% of AAFP respondents and 77% of GSA respondents reported using these traditional methods. However, more than 95% of both groups expressed interest in adopting DCAs within their practices.
"The number of undiagnosed dementia cases underscores the need to modernize how we screen for cognitive impairment," said McGuire. "This report distills complex feedback from frontline clinicians into actionable insights, helping us prepare primary care teams for a more streamlined and timely diagnostic experience."
The survey also found that while there is strong interest in DCAs among health care providers, many clinicians want additional support to integrate these tools into daily practice. The report highlights key priorities for encouraging wider adoption but does not list them specifically.
The new publication builds on GSA's existing KAER Toolkit for Brain Health. This toolkit uses a four-step framework—kickstart conversations about brain health, assess for cognitive impairment, evaluate for dementia, and refer patients to community resources—to help primary care teams improve detection and management of cognitive issues. It provides practical strategies and validated clinical tools intended for integration into primary care settings as well as educational materials for students in related fields.
Additionally, this latest research complements previous GSA work exploring blood-based biomarkers as emerging diagnostics for dementia. The updated toolkit now includes information on both traditional assessments and new digital innovations.
