Dementia in primary care: why the low detection rate?

Objective-The aim of the present study was to find reasons for the low dete ction rate of dementia in primary care. Another aim was to investigate the attitudes and knowledge on dementia among Swedish general practitioners (GP s). Design-Two-hundred-and-twenty-eight postal questionnaires were distributed to GPs in the county of Ostergotland. Setting-Primary care in Sweden. Main outcome measures-The opinions of GPs on dementia management in primary care. Results-The response rate was 67%. GPs showed a good knowledge of dementia diseases but underestimated the occurrence of dementia. They presented a po sitive attitude towards managing patients with dementia and considered that existing drug therapy justified an active search for patients with dementi a in primary care, but they believed the efficacy of the drugs to be limite d. Assessing the social environment of patients and organising social suppo rt were regarded as the most difficult tasks in the management of demented patients. Conclusion-The study indicates that the main obstacles are a lack of resour ces and a sceptical attitude to the benefits of drug treatment. Co-operatio n between the community services, specialist clinics and the primary care t eam should be improved.