Knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease among physicians: A cross-sectional study from Anand, Gujarat

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: There are limited studies from India on knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among physicians. Hence, this study was done to identify the knowledge and perceptions about AD among medical practitioners. Methodology: Anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical practitioners having at least MBBS degree. The study questionnaire included (a) demography and (b) AD Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Results: Among the 184 respondents, knowledge about AD was below par, scoring mean of 18.8 (standard deviation: 3.28) out of 30. On the subdomains of the ADKS scale, mean correct rate was highest in the subdomain of assessment (75.8%) and low in subdomains of risk factors (53.2%), symptoms (56.4%), and caregiving (52.9%). Despite 79 (42.9%) having dementia-related clinical encounters in the past 3 months, 171 (92.9%) participants had no training in geriatric medicine. Conclusions: There is a significant lack of knowledge about AD among the study population. However, the knowledge is higher among those who have had dementia- related clinical encounters.