A rapid review exploring nurse‐led memory clinics

AIMS: To systematically explore the structures, functions, outcomes, roles and nursing credentials of memory clinics where nurses autonomously lead diagnosis and postdiagnostic care. DESIGN: A systematic rapid review was conducted. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL Full‐Text (EBSCO) and EMBASE were systematically searched in December 2019 with no timeframe limitations imposed. REVIEW METHODS: The modified PRISMA checklist was used as a guide to facilitate the review. Articles identified were screened and assessed for inclusion criteria, and screening of reference lists of included studies was also completed. RESULTS: Six articles, published between 2011–2019, including two case studies, two descriptive reports, one qualitative study and one programme evaluation were included in the review. Nurse‐led memory clinics were situated in community centres, on university campuses, hospitals and in general practitioners' offices. The services offered included assessment, diagnosis and treatment/postdiagnostic care. Nurse credentials included advanced practice nurses and a community psychiatric nurse who was a non‐medical prescriber. Overall, there was low quantity and quality of evidence to evaluate outcomes.