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Familiarity, knowledge, and preferences of family physicians regarding mild cognitive impairment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2013

Perla Werner ,
Jeremia Heinik  and
Eliezer Kitai
Perla Werner*
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
Jeremia Heinik
Affiliation:
Margoletz Psychogeriatric Center, Ichilov Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Eliezer Kitai
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, Leumit Health Services, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Prof. Perla Werner, Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. Phone: 972-4-8249950; Fax: 972-4-8249946. Email: werner@research.haifa.ac.il.
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

mild cognitive impairmentphysiciansknowledgediagnosistreatmenthelp-seeking
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 25 , Issue 5 , May 2013 , pp. 805 - 813
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2013

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