New report shows primary care readiness for digital cognitive assessment tools

A new Gerontological Society of America (GSA) report summarizes survey findings on the readiness of the primary care workforce to adopt digital cognitive assessments (DCAs) for use in the diagnostic process for cognitive impairment and dementia.

While the clinical literature consistently highlights early detection as a critical lever in managing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, detecting subtle changes in cognition remains challenging. Current reliance on analog, paper-based screenings introduces a level of subjectivity and coarseness in data that may miss the subtle markers of early-stage decline."

She added that emerging evidence suggests that digitizing assessments may improve care across the continuum. By providing granular insights into cognitive trajectories, DCAs may facilitate earlier therapeutic intervention and more cohesive care coordination - ultimately strengthening dementia care and improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

This new report, "Advancing Cognitive Care: Clinician Awareness, Attitudes, and Interest in Digital Cognitive Assessments for Cognitive Evaluation," was informed by surveys of health care providers commissioned by the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease and conducted in August and September 2025 by GSA and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). It provides important information about integrating digital tools to ease the burden on clinicians and improve diagnostic accuracy. Insights from these surveys revealed both the promise and the practical challenges of integrating DCAs into everyday clinical practice and identified key priorities for enabling broader adoption.