Survey on awareness rate of knowledge about vascular cognitive impairment in community physicians in Beijing

Abstract

Objective To survey the awareness rate of knowledge about vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in community physicians. Methods A questionnaire survey on the awareness of knowledge about VCI was conducted in 87 community physicians from 4 community hospitals in Beijing Chaoyang District from October to December 2012. Among all participants there were 27 males and 60 females with an average age of (39±11) years, 85%(74/87)had college or university degrees, 90%(78/87)held primary or middle-level professional titles, 41%(36/87), of them were internists. Results All participants completed the questionnaire. The awareness rate about minor and major neurocognitive disorder was 39%(60/87); the rates of various causes of dementia were 51%(44/87)-100%(87/87)and various symptoms of cognitive impairment were 79%(69/87)-99%(86/87), respectively. The awareness rate of cognitive impairment as initial symptom displayed in stroke was 54%(47/87). The awareness rates of knowledge related to diagnosis and treatment of dementia were 57%(50/87)- 97%(84/87)and 80%(70/87)-100%(87/87), respectively. The awareness rates about that Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies were not reversed by early treatment were 46%(40/87)and 37%(32/87), respectively. The awareness rates of vascular risk factors were 20%(17/87)-100%(87/87)and those about the mode of health education were 52%(45/87)- 95%(83/87). There was 36%(31/87)community physicians who thought that they possessed VCI-related knowledge. Conclusions The results of survey suggest that community physicians shall upgrade their knowledge of diagnosis and treatment for vascular cognitive impairment. Key words: Cognition, vascular; Physicians, primary care; Questionnaires