Using routinely collected data to evaluate a leaflet campaign to increase the presentation of people with memory problems to general practice: a locality based controlled study

Background The Alzheimer's Society wished to raise awareness that people with memory problems may benefit fromearly assessment and diagnosis, so that appropriate measures could be put in place and management improved. Objective To use routinely collected data to determine whether a leaflet campaign to raise awareness of memory problems would result in increased presentation of people with memory problems to their GPs. Method A locality was identified which met the criteria for locating the pilot intervention. A neighbouring locality was identified which used the same secondary care service and could serve as a comparator. Anonymised routinely collected computer data were gathered before and after the intervention. Results The intervention locality had a much greater proportion of elderly patients and a higher proportion had memory problems recorded at baseline (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.47_1.91; P