Collaborative Care Models for Cognitive Disorder Patients

1. Introduction

The prevalence of cognitive disorders is rising worldwide, presenting substantial challenges for healthcare systems. Effective management of these disorders often requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. In recent years, the Collaborative Care Model (CCM) has become one such strategy. The CCM is a multidisciplinary, team-based model of integrated psychiatric and primary care (Ee et al., 2020) that can treat mental disorders in the primary care setting. It consists of care coordination and management, routine proactive monitoring and treatment utilizing validated clinical rating scales, and systematic psychiatric caseload evaluations for patients who do not demonstrate clinical improvement (Collier, 2020). In a collaborative care model, multiple physicians are involved in your care. It includes both primary care physicians and mental health specialists. It is essential to have all of these individuals on board to receive the finest possible care. This model is especially effective for managing patients with cognitive disorders, as it permits integrating mental health services into primary care settings. It enhances access to mental health care and reduces the stigma of requesting mental health services (Ee et al., 2020). However, implementing a model of collaborative care is challenging. Implementing a collaborative care model poses challenges, as it necessitates significant changes in healthcare delivery, including healthcare provider positions, communication processes, and healthcare system infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, the collaborative care model's potential to improve patient outcomes makes it a promising strategy for managing cognitive disorders. This chapter will explore the complexities of collaborative care models for mental disorder patients, casting light on their benefits, challenges, and prospective applications.

Various cognitive and behavioural symptoms characterize mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple forms of dementia. These symptoms can differ widely among individuals and evolve. The complexity of these disorders necessitates a collaborative care approach involving a diverse team of healthcare professionals. (Ee et al., 2020) This team collaborates to resolve the complex challenges posed by these disorders. This method encourages the detection and diagnosis of cognitive disorders at an early stage (Colizzi et al., 2020). A team-based approach permits a comprehensive evaluation of medical, neurological, psychological, and social factors essential for initiating appropriate interventions that may delay the disorder's progression (Curth et al., 2020). Individualized treatment plans that consider each patient's specific requirements and preferences are more likely to produce positive outcomes and enhance the patient's quality of life (Vojtila et al., 2021; Ee et al., 2020).

Medication management plays a crucial role in treating certain cognitive disorders. Collaborative care reduces the risk of adverse drug interactions and side effects by ensuring senior pharmacology specialists handle medication prescriptions, adjustments, and monitoring. Cognitive disorders frequently result in behavioural and mental symptoms such as agitation, aggression, depression, and anxiety (APA, 2017). On collaborative care teams, psychologists and social workers can provide behavioural interventions and support for both the patient and their caregivers (Van Der Voort et al., 2011). Caregivers of individuals with cognitive disorders frequently face significant emotional, physical, and logistical challenges. Collaborative care acknowledges the significance of caregiver support, providing resources, education, and respite care to help them manage their responsibilities more effectively. Effective communication between healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients is necessary for optimal care. Models of collaborative care facilitate regular communication and information exchange among team members, resulting in enhanced care coordination and patient outcomes. Beyond medical settings, coordinated care includes community resources and services (Stubbe, 2017). It includes connecting patients and caregivers with support groups, adult day programs, home health services, and legal and financial aid to improve the quality of life for those with cognitive disorders.