Survey Of General Practitioners' Attitudes To Using Blood-Based Dementia Markers

Introduction

Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-causing diseases will be available for clinical use in Northern Ireland (NI) within the next five years. Globally, it has been proposed that BBMs will be utilised in primary care before referral to memory services. This study assessed GP willingness to use BBMs and identified requirements for implementation.

Method

Ethical and governance approvals were granted by QUB. A short, anonymous questionnaire assessing GP attitudes towards BBMs was distributed primarily via email. The Eastern GP Federations Support Unit (FSU) facilitated an online GPNI webinar and associated sharing of the survey link. The other three GP Federations Support Units (FSUs) in NI were approached by email; the Southern and Northern FSUs circulated the survey to affiliated GPs. Distribution within the Western FSU occurred through direct contact with practice managers. Additional dissemination occurred via the ‘GP Survival’ Facebook page and the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland newsletter.

Results

Seventy-eight responses were received between 23/10/25 and 29/12/25. Overall, 43.5% reported willingness to undertake BBM testing in primary care, 28.2% were opposed, 24.4% indicated willingness dependent on robust pathways and guidance from secondary care, and 3.9% were unsure. Most respondents identified the need for timely access to memory or secondary care services, education on test validation, performance and interpretation, and support for patient counselling and post-test interpretation. Online teaching sessions and written digital resources were the preferred educational formats. Common concerns included increased workload in primary care and potential patient anxiety in the absence of adequate support and timely access to specialist services.

Conclusion

While BBMs are viewed as a promising diagnostic tool, GP willingness to implement testing in primary care varies and is highly dependent on the presence of robust clinical pathways, adequate education, and timely access to specialist services.