Knowledge and attitudes about dementia of primary care physicians in Southern Brazil.

Abstract

Background: Primary Care Physicians have a central role in assisting individuals with dementia and evaluating their preparedness to care these patients is fundamental. Our aim is to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia of the Primary Care Physicians (PCP) in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Southern Brazil.

Methods: We collected sociodemographic data, volume of patients with dementia treated/referred and perception of difficulties in caring for these patients. A previously validated questionnaire was sent: "Quiz on Knowledge and Attitudes in Dementia".

Results: From March/2022 to June/2023, 296 PCP responded to the questionnaire. They were mostly women (52.7%, 156), with a median [IQR] age of 35 [29-44] years, mostly were White (82.1%, 243) and had 7 (4-16) years of experience as a physician. Less than half of the physicians performed cognitive screening (43.9%) and Mini Mental State Examination was the most screening (63.5%) test used. The mean percentage of correct answers in the Knowledge Quiz was 46.4%. In the attitude quiz, we identified 3 factors: 1) frankly positive attitudes; 2) perceive primary care as important but have a pessimistic attitude towards them; 3) see primary care as important for patient care.

Conclusion: Knowledge about dementia is low among PCP in RS; however, most have positive attitudes towards these patients or think primary care is important to these patient's care.