Dementia in primary care: why the low detection rate?
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).


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


METHODS
Primary care in Sweden.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Olafsdóttir
M
M
Department of Medicine and Care, The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Sweden. maria.olafsdottir@simnet.is
Foldevi
M
M
Marcusson
J
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013548:Sweden