University of Wisconsin–Madison ⋅ Medical College of Wisconsin
WMJ

Assessing the Educational Needs of Wisconsin Primary Care Clinicians Caring for Persons Living With Dementia

Tyler Ballweg, BS; Tamara J. LeCaire, MS, PhD; Uriel Paniagua, MPH; Molly Schroeder, CSW; Tammi Albrecht, DNP; Sarina Schrager, MD; Cynthia M. Carlsson, MD, MS; Art Walaszek, MD

WMJ. 2025;124(2):153-156

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nearly 90% of persons living with dementia experience behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Primary care clinicians may require more training to address these symptoms.

Methods: We surveyed Wisconsin primary care clinicians to assess their current approaches, needs, and interest in future educational interventions related to managing BPSD.

Results: Over 60% of clinicians reported lack of ability or training in managing BPSD, while over 75% expressed interest in educational interventions that included discussion of treatment algorithms or virtual didactics.

Discussion: Given the apparent widespread demand and need for educational interventions on BPSD for primary care clinicians, future studies are needed to assess the efficacy of such interventions in improving clinicians’ preparedness to care for patients with BPSD.

Author Affiliations: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH), Madison, Wisconsin (Ballweg, LeCaire, Paniagua, Schroeder, Albrecht, Carlsson, Walaszek); Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, Madison, Wisconsin (LeCaire, Paniagua, Schroeder, Albrecht, Carlsson, Walaszek); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UWSMPH, Madison, Wisconsin (Schrager); Wisconsin Research and Education Network, Madison, Wisconsin (Schrager).
Corresponding Author: Art Walaszek, MD, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719; phone 608.263.6170; email awalaszek@wisc.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0001-9416-6105
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
Funding/Support: This project was made possible by the UW-Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) with support from NIH-NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) 1UL1TR002373 and funds through a grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Program, Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP 5129).
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