Dementia in primary care: why the low detection rate?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to find reasons for the low detection rate of dementia in primary care. Another aim was to investigate the attitudes and knowledge on dementia among Swedish general practitioners (GPs).

Design: Two-hundred-and-twenty-eight postal questionnaires were distributed to GPs in the county of Ostergötland.

Setting: Primary care in Sweden.

Main outcome measures: The opinions of GPs on dementia management in primary care.

Results: The response rate was 67%. GPs showed a good knowledge of dementia diseases but underestimated the occurrence of dementia. They presented a positive attitude towards managing patients with dementia and considered that existing drug therapy justified an active search for patients with dementia in primary care, but they believed the efficacy of the drugs to be limited. Assessing the social environment of patients and organising social support were regarded as the most difficult tasks in the management of demented patients.

Conclusion: The study indicates that the main obstacles are a lack of resources and a sceptical attitude to the benefits of drug treatment. Co-operation between the community services, specialist clinics and the primary care team should be improved.