Table 2.

Descriptions of the content of the interventions

Trial	Description of intervention
Waldorff et al 2003;14	Local GPs and specialists collaborated in the design of the multifaceted strategy. Interventions included:
	1. Seminars on specific clinical practice guidelines and screening tools, brain imaging as a diagnostic procedure, and pharmaceutical treatments for dementia
	2. Three reminder letters covering the main recommendations in the clinical practice guidelines
	3. An individualised small-group educational programme
	4. Outreach visits by a trained GP facilitator, who underwent a 5-hour symposium of training.
Downs et al 2006;16	Three interventions trialled:
	1. Decision-support software was written inside medical electronic records and used prompts for the investigation and management of dementia. Assisted clinical reasoning and planning in real time.
	2. CD-ROM — electronic tutorial using case analysis, reflections on knowledge, and considering complex clinical problems. Designed as electronic book’ format using indexing and hypertext links
	3. GPs with experience in postgraduate education facilitated small-group workshop using clinical scenarios and case discussions in multidisciplinary groups.
Rondeau et al 2008;19	Training on a battery of cognitive screening tests (the Short Cognitive Evaluation Battery, Robert et al 200346) which tests four cognitive areas which are often impaired in Alzheimer's disease (with a sensitivity of 93.8%) 2-hour group educational meetings on Alzheimer's disease and otherforms of dementia.
Chodosh et al 2006;18	Intervention participants were offered five educational modules comprising a total of 100 minutes of presentation and discussion in small-group format (and available on the web). These were:
	1. Assessment of capacity for making medical decisions
	2. An overview of the dementia care management programme
	3. The role of care managers
	4. The recognition and treatment of dementia and depression
	5. The recognition and treatment of dementia and delirium
	The survey instrument measured different facets of understanding: Five multiple choice questions (MCQ) addressing knowledge base on capacity, delirium, patient safety, and depression three MCQs on perceived value of screening, value of dementia care, and perceived difficulty in management. Also questioned on perceived quality of resources and ability to coordinate care, and value of correspondence from other providers.
Wenger etal 2009;17	Educational sessions for practitioners and structured prompts on management and care for patients. For positively screened patients a prompt initiated collection of specific data, triggered recommendations of specific investigations, and suggested specific care processes. The prompt supported the facilitation of an impression and plan forthe patient, and included decision-support materials and patient education resources and information about local services. 3-hour educational session learning an efficient approach’ to the condition, using Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) quality indicators (ACOVE investigators 200147). After piloting practices met to share experiences of clinicians and to modify the structure of the intervention as necessary. Clinicians/practices were able to review and adapt the prompts to suit their local services and personnel.
Vollmar etal 2010;20	Two interventions: 1. Online learning modules + structured case discussion. Online modules covered: the guideline. Interactive case stories relating to guidelines. 2. Lecture + structured case discussion. Lecture covered: 30 minutes slide presentation, on dementia-related training. Structured case discussion was 45 minutes. Participants in both groups completed knowledge test pre- and post-intervention, and at 6 months, as well as an evaluation form. The knowledge test comprised 10 MCQs on diagnosis and 10 MCQs on management of dementia. All participants received printed pocketbook of the guidelines. A control group received the printed pocketbook of the guidelines only.
Perry et al 2008;13	GPs referred patients to the study who were then randomised to control or intervention. Geriatric Specialist Nurse visited patients at home for assessment using the EASYcare instrument (Richardson 200128). This tool assesses activities of daily living, mood, cognition and has goal-setting elements. This was followed by up to 6 visits in 3 months for management planning. The nurse, primary care physician, and geriatrician met regularly to discuss cases.
Callahan et al 2006;26	Collaborative care management by the primary care physician and a geriatric nurse practitioner, for 12 months. All patient contacts were with the nurse. All intervention patients recommended for anticholinesterase inhibitors. Assessments on patient's behaviour and memory were made regularly and management planned accordingly. Primary care physicians were consulted to prescribe medications to help if non-pharmacological interventions hadn't been successful. Caregiver and patient education given, as well as regular psychological support for both caregiver and patient. Weekly meetings with multidisciplinary teams who reviewed care and adherence to guidelines. Support given by web-based system which helped with monitoring and multidisciplinary communication.
Vickrey et al 2006;24	Twenty-three guideline recommendations identified (by a multidisciplinary group) as care goals. The same group designed an assessment and protocols, and organised care-coordination. Care managers (mainly social workers) were trained, and carried out the assessments. Follow-up was arranged based on need but regular 6-monthly format assessments were carried out. Assessments were made, software assisted in providing a care plan, and recommendations to primary care physician were made. The software also facilitated multidisciplinary communication, and referrals to other agencies. Up to five interactive seminars' of 90 minutes were offered to primary care physicians, educating on issues such as behaviour changes, determining capacity, and depression.
Fortinsky et al 2009;27	Care consultant initiated monthly contacts with patient and caregiver over 12 months. Educational material for caregivers was given to intervention and control groups, including information about the course of disease, legal/financial issues, and community services. The intervention group was able to discuss these with the care consultants. Contacts were used to assess symptoms and concerns, and compose action plans for caregivers. The agenda was set by the caregiver. Primary care physicians were faxed care plans with the hope that they would discuss/review with caregiver and patient during consultations.
Clark et al 2004;25	Care consultation offered by Alzheimer's Association specially-trained staff. The care consultants conducted structured assessments and developed care strategies using family and community resources. These might include education/training programs or support groups. Regular follow ups arranged initially bi-weekly then monthly or 3-monthly.