Bridging the gap in dementia care

Aspiring neurologists Roshni Raj and Rachel Milke, both MD Class of 2028, developed Resources for Individuals Living with Dementia and their Families to take fragmented information about regional resources and pull them together in one location.

"Families dealing with a dementia diagnosis can feel isolated and lost," Milke said. "Our hope is that knowing how to navigate their loved one's care will help alleviate that anxiety."

What sets the app apart is its integration of "dot phrases"-smart phrases used by physicians in Epic, the electronic health record system. These phrases, like "paranoia," auto-populate clinical advice and local resources during patient visits. The students combed through nearly 200 phrases, identifying outdated or redundant entries and consolidating them into a streamlined, accurate and geographically relevant directory.

"Unless you've been using dot phrases, you might not even know they exist," Roshni said. "We wanted to make sure the information was up to date and pertinent to the area that Geisinger serves."

Their web-based app compiles and organizes dementia care resources, ranging from in-home care and long-term facilities to caregiver support and educational materials. While not downloadable from an app store, the site is mobile-friendly and accessible across devices.

Pre- and post-use surveys with Geisinger neurologists showed statistically significant improvements in ease of finding resources and efficiency. The team also presented its research to physicians from other institutions and disciplines and learned the app may prove useful beyond neurology. "I was surprised by the reach of people interested," said Roshni.

About Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Educating. Inspiring. Leading. At Geisinger College of Health Sciences, we bring innovation and purpose together to educate the next generation of healthcare leaders. As the academic and research arm of the Geisinger family, our college was founded to enhance and improve community health, with a focus on discovery, hands-on learning and applied practice across our system. Today, we offer a research institute, graduate medical education, schools of medicine, graduate education and nursing, and faculty and professional development programs. Visit geisinger.edu/gchs.

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