title: Identification, emotional reactions, and perceived threat to persons with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the emotional reactions, and the perceived threat to AD were compared across 3 Greek samples: 147 primary care health professionals (PCHPs), 74 health and social service graduate students, and 99 laypersons. Within the group of PCHPs, physicians, nurses, and social workers were compared. The factors associated with emotional reactions were examined. Finally, the Emotional Reactions Scale's (ERS) latent structure was validated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were asked to identify the disease of a vignette, respond to the ERS and in 3 indices of perceived threat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PCHPs identified AD equally accurate to laypersons. Students and laypersons reported the most intense emotions. Social workers perceived higher consequences than physicians and nurses. Age, personal experience, education, and perceived concern predicted emotional reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings underscore the importance of implementing education and training actions to increase AD identification, reduce negative emotions, and further advance care for patients.
authors.affiliation: Social Work Department, Health and Social Welfare School, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. akalaitzaki@staff.teicrete.gr
authors.forename: Argyroula E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kalaitzaki
authors.forename: Evangellia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kateri
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pattakou-Parasyri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004644:Emotions; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012947:Social Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*