Knowledge and attitudes towards dementia among final-year medical students in Brazil

Abstract

Summary Objective: Among all countries, Brazil is expected to have the sixth largest elderly population in 2025. Dementia syndromes are prominent among aging-related diseases. Despite the necessity of and curriculum for training in geriatric medicine to make recommendations on an approach to this theme, adequate training appears to be infrequent. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge about dementia and students' attitude towards it during the last semester of the medical course in two of the most important Brazilian medical schools. Method: In our study, a sample of 189 students was invited to complete questionnaires comprising demographic and professional topics, knowledge with respect to cognitive alterations in the elderly and attitudes in dealing with an elderly patient with dementia. Results: A total of 155 students accepted to participate in the study; 92(59.7%) considered that they had good training in cognitive alterations during their undergraduate medical course, while 67 (58.8%) of them declared having had only theoretical training. Regarding knowledge, the students obtained a mean of 6.9, out of a scale from 0 to 14 points. As for attitudes, the students agreed that they can contribute to the life quality of the patient and of the caregiver, and that it is useful to provide the diagnosis to the family. Conclusion: The findings of this study are relevant for overturn the educational barriers of physicians in relation to the care of patients with dementia.

Knowledge and attitudes in dementia held by general practitioners in the primary care setting of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

“…Another study where 155 final-year medical students from two different universities participated, 92 (59.7%) considered that they had good training in cognitive alterations during their undergraduate medical course and 67 (58.8%) declared having only theoretical training 22 . However, this group of students scored an average of 6.9 (49.2%) on the Knowledge Quiz, pointing to the need for continued education, given that the workforce in the public health system in Brazil, akin to the UK, comprises very young doctors dealing with the population of older people users seeking public health services 23 .…”

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Dementia among Clinical Years Medical Students at Jazan University: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Internationally, nursing and medical students generally carry positive attitudes toward people with dementia [7,8] , although the depth of knowledge of these students is still concerning [7,9] . One study of final year medical students in Brazil found that students had only theoretical knowledge in dementia and lack practical training [10] .…”

“…Data were collected using Arabic, structured, and self-assessment questionnaire consisted of 30 questions presented in three parts. The questionnaire was adopted from a previous study on Brazilian medical students [10] . Respondents were firstly asked about some socio-demographic details including age, sex, year of study and any previous training in dementia.…”

Prática médica frente às demências nos municípios polos de residência em saúde da família em Minas Gerais

“…Regarding the approach of dementia in basic healthcare units, the training offered by medical schools provides students with incipient knowledge on cognitive changes through a theoretical basis that may be efficient, but further training focusing on the diagnosis and early recognition of changes suggestive of dementia in this environment is still necessary 17 . The qualification of PHC healthcare professionals can help in the early and favorable diagnosis of dementia, thus allowing an appropriate follow-up 3 .…”