Diagnosis of cognitive disorders in primary health care in Poland
| 1 | Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wydział Nauk Medycznych w Katowicach, Katedra Neurologii |
| 2 | Instytut Psychologii, Wyższa Szkoła Humanitas, Sosnowiec |
| 3 | Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu w Bytomiu, Katedra i Zakład Podstawowych Nauk Medycznych |
| 4 | Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wydział Nauk Medycznych w Katowicach, Katedra Neurologii, Klinika Neurorehabilitacji |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Tomasz Chmiela
Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wydział Nauk Medycznych w Katowicach, Katedra Neurologii
Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wydział Nauk Medycznych w Katowicach, Katedra Neurologii
Submission date: 2020-12-13
Final revision date: 2021-04-27
Acceptance date: 2021-06-11
Online publication date: 2023-02-28
Publication date: 2023-02-28
Psychiatr Pol 2023;57(1):65–77
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and the rules of proceeding concerning primary health care (PHC) doctors in the field of screening diagnostics for cognitive disorders in elderly people in Poland.
Methods:
The study included 175 PHC doctors. A validated anonymous questionnaire was used. The survey was conducted using the PAPI (Paper and Pencil Interviews) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews) methods.
Results:
The vast majority of the respondents (n=159; 91.4%) saw the advisability of screening for cognitive disorders in the age group >65 years of age, but only 53 subjects (30.29%) believed that these tests should be conducted by general practitioners (GPs). According to the surveyed doctors, the main obstacle in the diagnostics of cognitive functions is the lack of time – this was the opinion of 142 (81.14%) respondents. When dementia was suspected, the respondents usually ordered laboratory tests and referred patients to a neurologist (n=111; 63.4%). The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were the most popular scales assessing cognitive functions, known by 120 doctors (68.57%), and 122 respondents (69.71%), respectively.
Conclusions:
Polish GPs are aware of the necessity of screening for cognitive disorders in seniors. Currently, there are no mechanisms within primary health care system that would enable proper early screening for dementia in people at the high risk (i.e.> 65 years of age). The development of standards for the early detection of cognitive disorders within primary health care system in Poland seems to be an urgent need
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and the rules of proceeding concerning primary health care (PHC) doctors in the field of screening diagnostics for cognitive disorders in elderly people in Poland.
Methods:
The study included 175 PHC doctors. A validated anonymous questionnaire was used. The survey was conducted using the PAPI (Paper and Pencil Interviews) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews) methods.
Results:
The vast majority of the respondents (n=159; 91.4%) saw the advisability of screening for cognitive disorders in the age group >65 years of age, but only 53 subjects (30.29%) believed that these tests should be conducted by general practitioners (GPs). According to the surveyed doctors, the main obstacle in the diagnostics of cognitive functions is the lack of time – this was the opinion of 142 (81.14%) respondents. When dementia was suspected, the respondents usually ordered laboratory tests and referred patients to a neurologist (n=111; 63.4%). The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were the most popular scales assessing cognitive functions, known by 120 doctors (68.57%), and 122 respondents (69.71%), respectively.
Conclusions:
Polish GPs are aware of the necessity of screening for cognitive disorders in seniors. Currently, there are no mechanisms within primary health care system that would enable proper early screening for dementia in people at the high risk (i.e.> 65 years of age). The development of standards for the early detection of cognitive disorders within primary health care system in Poland seems to be an urgent need
Project no. RCN/SN/0610/2021/1 implemented from 2022 to 2024
Total value of the project: PLN 490 000
Amount funded by the MEiN: PLN 100 000
Aims of the project: Publication in Open Access mode on the Internet of English and Polish language versions of 12 consecutive issues of the journal Psychiatria Polska (years 2022-2024). Modernization and redesign of the journal’s website. Financing of the Editorial System. Copy editing and proofreading of journal issues. Counteracting scientific misinformation. Submission of electronic versions of the journal to the National Digital Library Polona and the Digital Library of Scientific Publications Academica.
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