Caring for patients with dementia: the GP perspective

While general practitioners (GPs) have a central role to play in the effect ive primary care response to people with dementia and their families, conce rn has been raised as to the adequacy with which they fulfil this role. The purpose of this study was to assess GPs' views and practices regarding dem entia diagnosis and management. A secondary goal was to determine whether p ractitioner characteristics were associated with these views and practices. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 278 GPs at the outset of a two-hour training seminar on dementia. Results suggest that GPs perceive co nsiderable difficulties with some aspects of their care for their patients with dementia. In general, their self-reported approach to diagnosis and ma nagement of dementia was not consistent with recommended practice. Practiti oner characteristics failed to distinguish those GPs whose practice was mor e in line with recommended practice. GPs endorsed a range of interventions that would assist them in better meeting the needs of people with dementia. The study confirms findings of earlier studies as to the adequacy with whi ch GPs respond to people with dementia and their families. It provides addi tional information as to the particular difficulties GPs face and their per ceived solutions to those challenges.