A mapping review of studies exploring the barriers and facilitators to a dementia diagnosis through an intersectionality lens

Background

Promoting a ‘timely’ diagnosis is a global policy directive.

Aims

This review adopts an intersectional approach, visually mapping the existing literature to highlight gaps in the evidence base on barriers and facilitators to dementia diagnosis.

Method

A systematic approach was undertaken, following the PRISMA guidelines, updating previous reviews. The literature search was conducted on PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete and Scopus. In line with mapping review methodology, we report the current state of the literature by describing the number of studies that outline barriers and facilitators to seeking help for a dementia diagnosis, split by social categorisation.

Results

On the 7 June 2024, a total of 45 studies were identified. Our mapping demonstrated the majority of studies were derived from high-income countries and did not specify whether they were exploring barriers and facilitators through a specific social lens. Ethnicity was one of the few social categories where a range of evidence was reported. Other categories, such as socioeconomic status, gender and sexual orientation, received limited research attention.

Conclusions

Our mapping review suggests the large body of work within this field tends to treat people with dementia and their carers as homogenous and androgenous groups. To better inform this key policy directive, studies are needed that explore the influence of social determinants on people’s experiences of seeking a dementia diagnosis. Such work would create a richer, more nuanced evidence base that better elicits ways of addressing inequalities and inequities that arise at this key stage of people’s dementia care journey.