Introduction:
Dementia is a challenging problem across the world, with over 5 million people with dementia in India. Multidisciplinary memory clinics (MCs) are the mainstay of care for people with dementia in many countries. There is limited information about the understanding of and attitudes towards MC among health and social care professionals in India. This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and disadvantages of a multidisciplinary memory clinic model in the care of people with dementia, and to identify the facilitators and barriers in establishing and running multidisciplinary memory clinics, as perceived by a group of specialist doctors, psychologists, and social workers.

Methods:
A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted and the theoretical background of directed content analysis was applied for data analysis. The participants were from Kerala, a southern state in India, working in 13 different institutions involved in healthcare and social work. Purposive sampling was utilized for the FGD representative of a multidisciplinary team.

Results:
All participants agreed that a multidisciplinary memory clinic approach would improve patient care. Early detection, comprehensive, continuous, person-centered care and caregiver focus were perceived benefits that MCs could offer. Disadvantages include unclear role definition, disjointed care, complex team dynamics, and high costs. Awareness of dementia, close involvement of stakeholders, clarity in role definitions, elder-friendly settings, community involvement and access to finances were perceived to facilitate establishing memory clinics while lack of awareness, stigma, risk of duplication of functions, lack of outcome assessment and lack of funding were barriers.

Conclusions:
Multidisciplinary memory clinics potentially facilitate early diagnosis of dementia and comprehensive person-centered care. Caregivers stand to benefit as the team has more time and diversity in skills to educate and support them.