Diagnostic evaluation of dementia in general practice in Denmark. A national survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine GPs' self-reported basic diagnostic evaluation of dementia according to the recommendations in multidisciplinary consensus guidelines and to analyse explanatory factors for GP performance.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire study, spring 1998.


METHODS
General practice in Denmark.


METHODS
All 3379 GPs in Denmark.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was completed by 75.1%. According to our Diagnostic Evaluation Index, 47.2% of the GPs were classified as conducting a good basic diagnostic evaluation of dementia, and tended to have the following characteristics: they conducted regular follow-up consultations with demented patients (odds ratio (OR) 2.4), they were inclined to state that all patients with possible dementia should undergo diagnostic evaluation (OR 2.0), they considered that the GP should play the major role in diagnostic evaluation (OR 1.7) and they believed their methods were adequate identify dementia (OR 1.7). Gender, attitude to development of clinical guidelines and being able to refer patients to specialists were not influential.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the previously reported reluctant attitude of GPs is now more positive.
Waldorff
F B
FB
Department of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. fbw@gpract.ku.dk
Møller
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003718:Denmark; D030881:Disclosure; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires