By DoM Communications | Date published: August 15, 2025
Honghuang Lin Speaks to mHealthIntelligence on Integrating Digital Cognitive Assessments into Primary Care
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School recently studied the feasibility of integrating a digital cognitive assessment into routine primary care visits. They found that a high percentage of patients accepted the assessment into their care plan, which could ultimately help in detecting early signs of disease.
Honghuang Lin, PhD, co-director of the Program in Digital Medicine and professor of medicine in the Division of Health Systems Science, recently spoke with mHealthIntelligence about the benefits of integrating this type of assessment into primary care, specifically in assessing patients for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. According to Dr. Lin, changes in speech are one of the first signs of cognitive impairment, which can be indicative of potential MCI. Assessing patients for MCI during routine primary care appointments could help increase early detection of the disease.
"Most of them also want to know what is happening with their cognitive health, because [even though] many people don't want to talk about cognitive health, they still want to know what's happening,” said Dr. Lin.