Early detection of dementia: The knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background: Dementia affects people worldwide and its prevalence is growing. Early detection of dementia by primary care physicians can be beneficial; thus, their knowledge and attitudes about this issue are important.

Objective: To assess primary care physicians’ knowledge and attitudes about the early detection of dementia in Hong Kong.

Methods: This was a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) study. Four focus groups with a purposive sample of 31 primary care physicians were interviewed, and a questionnaire-survey was completed and returned by 437 primary care physicians.

Results: Participants all agreed that the early detection of dementia would benefit patients and primary care physicians should be capable of making such diagnoses. Confidence in making an early diagnosis varied; physicians tended to overlook symptoms in the early stages. All agreed that more training is needed at the post-graduate level of medical education.

Conclusions: Participants had positive attitudes towards early detection of dementia; however, their confidence and ability to make an early diagnosis varied.