Aims: To systematically explore the structures, functions, outcomes, roles and nursing credentials of memory clinics where nurses autonomously lead diagnosis and postdiagnostic care.
Design: A systematic rapid review was conducted.
Data sources: MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL Full-Text (EBSCO) and EMBASE were systematically searched in December 2019 with no timeframe limitations imposed.
Review methods: The modified PRISMA checklist was used as a guide to facilitate the review. Articles identified were screened and assessed for inclusion criteria, and screening of reference lists of included studies was also completed.
Results: Six articles, published between 2011-2019, including two case studies, two descriptive reports, one qualitative study and one programme evaluation were included in the review. Nurse-led memory clinics were situated in community centres, on university campuses, hospitals and in general practitioners' offices. The services offered included assessment, diagnosis and treatment/postdiagnostic care. Nurse credentials included advanced practice nurses and a community psychiatric nurse who was a non-medical prescriber. Overall, there was low quantity and quality of evidence to evaluate outcomes.
Keywords: Alzheimer's; advanced nursing practice; advanced practice nurse; dementia; memory clinic; non-medical prescriber; nurse; nurse practitioner; nurse-led; rapid review.
© 2020 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.