GP Perspectives on the Use of BrainTrack to Support Brain Health Conversations and Early Help-seeking
Helen Macpherson Terence Chong

Date and Time

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Theme / Track

Arts, design, innovation and technology

Presentation Format

General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the early identification of cognitive concerns and in initiating discussions about brain health, risk reduction, and help-seeking. Limited time, competing priorities, stigma, and clinical challenges in addressing dementia-related concerns can constrain routine engagement in these discussions. Digital resources such as Dementia Australia’s BrainTrack, a gamified mobile application that aims to increase brain health awareness and encourage help-seeking related to cognitive concerns, may support these interactions. We present GP perspectives on the potential utility of BrainTrack in clinical practice, drawing on 30 qualitative interviews and survey data from 897 currently practicing Australian GPs. Semi-structured interviews elicited perceptions of BrainTrack, its potential to prompt brain health conversations. Surveys included questions to elicit perceptions of the app’s utility, usefulness and barriers to diagnosis. Reflective thematic analysis of interviews identified four themes across system-level enablers and GP-level practices encompassing app uptake, dementia prevention efforts in general practice, responding to cognitive concerns, and patient engagement. Survey data indicated 31% of GPs did not routinely discuss brain health with their patients and 31% reported barriers to dementia diagnosis. GPs in rural towns were most likely to face challenges initiating diagnosis (52%). Most GPs viewed BrainTrack positively, agreeing the app was valuable for initiating cognitive health discussions (92%), supporting proactive self monitoring (92%), and raising brain health awareness (91%). Areas for improvement included digital accessibility, usability, and clinical integration. GP perspectives support BrainTrack as a tool for prompting brain health conversations and highlight system level enablers and barriers to clinical integration.

AAG Symposium Title
Designing, Delivering, and Driving Impact in Brain Health Using an Innovative Mobile Application

Keywords

Dementia, Diagnosis, Technology

Authors

Dr Terrence Chong, University of Melbourne, St Vincent’s Hospital
Justine Lomas, Deakin University
Dr Thomas Rego, University of Melbourne
Prof Alison Hutchinson, Deakin University, Barwon Health