Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is often a long, complex process, with many individuals facing delayed diagnosis or even misdiagnosis for years. A key reason for misdiagnosis could be the amount of training doctors are receiving on cognitive decline. 

University of Washington’s Dr. Barak Gaster is trying to fill that gap in his work directing the Cognition in Primary Care Program, which trains doctors to improve dementia diagnosis and care. Gaster joined Being Patient founder Deborah Kan in a conversation on why diagnosing Alzheimer’s is so difficult to diagnose, particularly in its early stages. He also shed light on the barriers physicians face in recognizing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and how primary care providers can improve diagnosis and care for those experiencing cognitive decline.

Watch the conversation to learn his practical advice for patients and caregivers seeking diagnosis, as well as his take on why these challenges exist and what can be done to improve the diagnosis process.