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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
    τ p 1 τ p 2   τ p 1 τ 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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