Preliminary results of the KAP study (knowledge, attitudes and practices) of doctors about the management of major cognitive disorders in the Republic of Moldova.

Abstract

Managing a patient with cognitive impairment is a challenge. Barriers are identified and doctors have different attitudes and practices on this subject.
The purpose of the research - the analysis of doctors’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the management of dementia in the Republic of Moldova.
Material and method: An online survey of neurologists, psychiatrists, family doctors, and psychologists. The questionnaire included 24 questions, average completion time - 15 minutes. The first 3 months of the survey were analyzed. 
Results: 122 questionnaires were validated, 45.9% neurologists, 25.4% psychiatrists, 13.1% family doctors, 9% psychologists answered. Among the problems are mentioned the lack of social services (54.1%), the lack of guidelines (50.8%), the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration (47.5%), problems in communicating with the patient (45.9%), difficulties in establishing the diagnosis (36.1%), in communication with relatives and caregiver (30.3%), in the treatment of comorbidities (29.5%), in the elaboration of the treatment plan (28.7%) and 0.8% - financial. A part of the respondents (38.5%) consider that these patients consume time, emotions, and resources, and 13.9% mention that they are a burden to the health system.
Conclusion: In order to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practices of physicians involved in the management of patients with cognitive impairment, it is imperative to develop and implement a national program for cognitive impairment.