Background/Objectives: Access to specialists and diagnostic resources continues to limit differential diagnosis of cognitive impairment in primary care. This pilot study examined the feasibility, usability, and clinical integration of a digitally supported Remote Cognitive Assessment (RCA) model embedded in general practice settings. Methods: A mixed-method design was used, combining structured quantitative surveys from patients (n = 10; mean age = 77.03; SD = 14.1) and neuropsychologists (10 RCAs completed by three neuropsychologists) with qualitative interviews from general practitioners (GP; n = 4). Patients were assessed remotely via a secure videoconference system operated by trained neuropsychologists. Assessments were conducted in the GP’s office, supported by local staff, to facilitate the process. Results: Patients reported high satisfaction with audio (M = 8; SD = 2.28) and video quality (M = 9.17; SD = 1.17) and expressed a strong willingness to recommend RCA (M = 8.83; SD = 1.17) on a 10-point Likert scale. Despite moderate scores for perceived simplicity (M = 5; SD = 3.41) and effectiveness (M = 5.83; SD = 2.14), overall acceptance (M = 8.33; SD = 0.82) was favorable, especially given the older age of participants. Neuropsychologists rated technical functionality positively (audio quality M = 8.17; SD = 1.18; video quality M = 8; SD = 1.67) but raised concerns about clinical utility and diagnostic depth (effectiveness M = 2.83; SD = 2.71). GPs highlighted the benefits of local facilitation, early screening, and improved access to specialist input while also noting space limitations, communication gaps, and the need for sustainable infrastructure. Conclusions: The RCA model was well accepted by patients and GPs, and technically feasible for neuropsychologists. However, neuropsychologists reported important reservations regarding usability and effectiveness. The results suggest an important mismatch between patient satisfaction and clinical confidence and RCA cannot yet be recommended for routine clinical implementations based on patient acceptability alone. This model holds promises for hybrid cognitive care, particularly in underserved or rural areas, but future development must prioritize diagnostic confidence and clinician workflow usability before scalable integration into rural cognitive care pathways can be established.
Background: With an aging population, cognitive impairments and dementia pose significant challenges. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial, yet access to specialized dementia screening clinics remains limited, especially in rural and remote areas. Telemedicine presents a promising solution by offering accessible opportunities for cognitive testing. This pilot study examines the subjective experiences of elderly with cognitive decline using telemedicine for an initial dementia screening, emphasizing their perceptions and feelings toward digital technology, particularly in the context of remote cognitive assessments as a patient‐centered approach to dementia screening. Method: This ongoing pilot study utilizes telemedicine to conduct remote cognitive assessments via videoconferencing platform, which is specifically designed to support a full range of neuropsychological tests, facilitating the early detection of cognitive decline and monitoring cognitive performance. Data are collected to evaluate acceptability and user experience, focusing on the subjective perceptions of both participants and clinicians in remote memory clinic settings. Acceptability and user experience are measured using questionnaires scored on a Likert scale (1‐10) offering valuable insight into telemedicine experiences. Result: Participants ( n = 10) reported high satisfaction scores for overall experience (8.33), video quality (8.39), and audio quality (8.19). In contrast, clinicians highlighted challenges, particularly with technical setup (4.13) and interaction quality (5.5). Data collection is expected to conclude by June 2025, providing a more comprehensive dataset for further analysis. Conclusion: Preliminary findings from this pilot study emphasize the potential of video‐supported remote diagnostics to expand access to dementia assessments in rural and underserved areas. High satisfaction ratings from participants demonstrate the feasibility of providing timely and comprehensive care while alleviating the need for long‐distance travel. However, challenges reported by clinicians, highlight the need for further refinements to improve usability and enhance clinician‐patient interactions. Future efforts should prioritize optimizing platform interactivity and streamlining the technical setup process to boost clinician satisfaction and minimize workflow disruptions. With these improvements, the system has the potential to address healthcare disparities in rural regions effectively.