Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude of Healthcare Stakeholders on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Qatar

Pradipta Paul, Ziyad Riyad Mahfoud, Rayaz A. Malik, Ridhima Kaul, Phyllis Muffuh Navti, Deema Al-Sheikhly and Ali Chaari ()
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Pradipta Paul: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Ziyad Riyad Mahfoud: Division of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Rayaz A. Malik: Division of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Ridhima Kaul: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Phyllis Muffuh Navti: Division of Continuing Professional Development, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Deema Al-Sheikhly: Division of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
Ali Chaari: Premedical Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-25

Abstract: Dementia is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory impairment, and disability. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for 60–70% of cases, followed by vascular and mixed dementia. Qatar and the Middle East are at increased risk owing to aging populations and high prevalence of vascular risk factors. Appropriate levels of knowledge, attitudes, and awareness amongst health care professionals (HCPs) are the need of the hour, but literature indicates that these proficiencies may be inadequate, outdated, or markedly heterogenous. In addition to a review of published quantitative surveys investigating similar questions in the Middle East, a pilot cross-sectional online needs-assessment survey was undertaken to gauge these parameters of dementia and AD among healthcare stakeholders in Qatar between 19 April and 16 May 2022. Overall, 229 responses were recorded between physicians (21%), nurses (21%), and medical students (25%), with two-thirds from Qatar. Over half the respondents reported that >10% of their patients were elderly (>60 years). Over 25% reported having contact with >50 patients with dementia or neurodegenerative disease annually. Over 70% had not undertake related education/training in the last 2 years. The knowledge of HCPs regarding dementia and AD was moderate (mean score of 5.3 ± 1.5 out of 7) and their awareness of recent advances in basic disease pathophysiology was lacking. Differences existed across professions and location of respondents. Our findings lay the groundwork for a call-to-action for healthcare institutions to improve dementia care within Qatar and the Middle East region.

Keywords: proficiency; competence; ability; geriatrics; continuing medical education; neurodegenerative disease; practice; knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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