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Table 1 Distribution figures and associations between items in the questionnaire by profession

From: Self-reported competence, attitude and approach of physicians towards patients with dementia in ambulatory care: Results of a postal survey

  

General practitioners

Specialists

 
  

Mean (SD) Median

association with CI

association with general attitude cluster

Mean (SD) Median

association with CI

association with general attitude cluster

p 3

   

Ï„

p 1

Ï„

p 2

 

Ï„

p 1

Ï„

p 2

 

1

As a physician I cannot do anything to improve the quality of life of patients with dementia

1.95 (1.20) 2

-0.321

< 0.001

-

-

1.83 (1.21) 1

-0.274

0.002

-

-

0.317

2

Caring for patients with dementia is a rewarding task for me as a physician

3.56 (1.31) 4

0.239

< 0.001

-

-

3.56 (1.41) 4

0.228

0.005

-

-

0.998

3

I feel helpless in the relationship with my demented patients

2.63 (1.30) 2

-0.270

< 0.001

-

-

2.59 (1.24) 2

-0.238

0.004

-

-

0.906

4

I would prefer to have nothing to do with the care for dementia patients

1.97 (1.24) 1

-0.342

< 0.001

-

-

1.74 (1.26) 1

-0.244

0.005

-

-

0.032

5

Early detection of dementia benefits the patient

5.00 (1.23) 5

0.248

< 0.001

-0.314

< 0.001

5.05 (1.27) 6

0.067

0.433

-0.256

0.005

0.546

6

Early detection of dementia has no therapeutic consequences.

1.88 (1.28) 1

-0.195

0.001

0.302

< 0.001

1.66 (1.24) 1

-0.028

0.754

0.283

0.003

0.069

7

I actively search for dementia in all patients over 65

3.16 (1.48) 3

0.238

< 0.001

-0.195

0.001

3.43 (1.74) 3

0.145

0.074

-0.248

0.005

0.201

8

In case of suspicion of cognitive problems I regularly use cognitive tests

3.80 (1.81) 4

0.367

< 0.001

-0.162

0.005

5.06 (1.58) 6

0.329

< 0.001

-0.267

0.004

< 0.001

9

I suggest to the relatives that they contact the Alzheimer Association

4.10 (1.68) 5

0.020

0.716

-0.048

0.418

4.67 (1.44) 5

0.105

0.210

-0.194

0.031

0.005

10

I suggest to the relatives to participate in a self-help group

4.47 (1.50) 5

0.179

0.001

-0.149

0.012

4.80 (1.28) 5

0.119

0.158

-0.205

0.024

0.079

11

I propose the relatives often to help them in organising the care, e.g. in finding a legal guardian

4.60 (1.35) 5

0.206

< 0.001

-0.284

< 0.001

4.74 (1.20) 5

0.018

0.830

-0.055

0.544

0.630

12

To my opinion, the relatives have exaggerated communication needs

2.53 (1.50) 2

-0.217

< 0.001

0.380

< 0.001

2.63 (1.45) 2

0.033

0.687

0.110

0.218

0.441

13

Usually I can help relatives with burden quite well

4.32 (1.02) 4

0.183

0.001

-0.326

< 0.001

4.26 (1.06) 4

-0.045

0.590

-0.177

0.050

0.780

14

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia would help me

4.50 (1.49) 5

-0.141

0.010

0.004

0.949

3.79 (1.52) 4

-0.206

0.012

0.029

0.739

< 0.001

15

I would like to participate in a training on how to deal and speak with demented patients and their relatives

4.13 (1.60) 5

-0.138

0.011

0.072

0.224

3.35 (1.69) 3

-0.092

0.256

-0.026

0.767

< 0.001

  1. CI = competence index; SD = standard deviation, n = number of respondents, p 1 = statistical significance of association between competence index and items; p 2, statistical significance of association between general attitude cluster and items; p 3 = statistical significance of difference between GPs and specialists; n = 211 for GPs and 96 for specialists.
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BMC Health Services Research

ISSN: 1472-6963

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