How Telemedicine Has Affected Dementia Care Over Time
Official title: Assessing the Long-term Impact of COVID-induced Telemedicine Expansion on Dementia Care
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11375063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how using video or phone visits for dementia care in primary care has changed long-term, and what that means for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $754,439 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG077623-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with dementia and their caregivers who receive primary care and have experienced telemedicine or in-person visits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dementia or those not using primary care services may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
As telemedicine became common during COVID-19, its long-term impact on dementia care in primary care settings is unclear. The study will examine whether telemedicine helps or hinders timely care and whether it changes the need for in-person visits or emergency care. Researchers will analyze patterns in visit modality, clinical interactions, and subsequent health service use to understand real-world effects on people living with dementia and their families. The findings could inform how clinics balance video, phone, and in-person visits to optimize outcomes for PWD and caregivers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide primary care practices on when and how to use telemedicine to support dementia patients and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows mixed results; this study aims to clarify long-term patterns and outcomes in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adler-Milstein, Julia Rose — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Adler-Milstein, Julia Rose
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.