TY - JOUR
T1 - Familiarity, knowledge, and preferences of family physicians regarding mild cognitive impairment
AU - Werner, Perla
AU - Heinik, Jeremia
AU - Kitai, Eliezer
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common condition among elderly persons. Its early identification is important because MCI can be a precursor of dementia. Since physicians' knowledge and preferences regarding MCI can be critical in its identification, this study assessed family physicians' familiarity, knowledge, and preferences regarding help-seeking, diagnosis, and treatment options for MCI. Method: A convenience sample of 197 family physicians working in one of the largest Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in Israel completed a structured questionnaire. Familiarity, knowledge, and preferences regarding diagnosis, help-seeking, and treatment of MCI were assessed. Results: The majority of the participants had heard about MCI but a third of those familiar with the term reported knowing almost nothing about it. Participants' objective knowledge was good regarding several causes of MCI, but 70% reported it to be caused by normal aging. Help-seeking and treatment preferences corresponded with the literature on MCI. Conclusion: Our findings stress the need to broaden the understanding of primary care physicians' knowledge and preferences regarding MCI. This research can guide in developing continuous education programs to strengthen areas and groups of physicians reporting low knowledge.
AB - Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common condition among elderly persons. Its early identification is important because MCI can be a precursor of dementia. Since physicians' knowledge and preferences regarding MCI can be critical in its identification, this study assessed family physicians' familiarity, knowledge, and preferences regarding help-seeking, diagnosis, and treatment options for MCI. Method: A convenience sample of 197 family physicians working in one of the largest Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in Israel completed a structured questionnaire. Familiarity, knowledge, and preferences regarding diagnosis, help-seeking, and treatment of MCI were assessed. Results: The majority of the participants had heard about MCI but a third of those familiar with the term reported knowing almost nothing about it. Participants' objective knowledge was good regarding several causes of MCI, but 70% reported it to be caused by normal aging. Help-seeking and treatment preferences corresponded with the literature on MCI. Conclusion: Our findings stress the need to broaden the understanding of primary care physicians' knowledge and preferences regarding MCI. This research can guide in developing continuous education programs to strengthen areas and groups of physicians reporting low knowledge.
KW - diagnosis
KW - help-seeking
KW - knowledge
KW - mild cognitive impairment
KW - physicians
KW - treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875429526&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1041610212002384
DO - 10.1017/S1041610212002384
M3 - מאמר
AN - SCOPUS:84875429526
VL - 25
SP - 805
EP - 813
JO - International Psychogeriatrics
JF - International Psychogeriatrics
SN - 1041-6102
IS - 5
ER -