Awareness of Medical Workers with Early Diagnosis of Cognitive Disorders at the Primary Health Care Level in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

 BACKGROUND: Early detection of cognitive impairments (CIs) has been identified as one of the most important factors for the treatment of the disease. The World Alzheimer report 2011 states that the earlier a diagnosis is known, the better patients can be treated medically, patients and their family members can adapt to the development and learn to deal with the disease. Early diagnosis also leads to higher cost-effectivity, which will further improve, when treatments and social care interventions become more effective in future. It is the first-contact doctor who becomes the main figure in identifying the patient’s cognitive disorders.

AIM: This study aimed to research the awareness of medical workers with early diagnosis of cognitive disorders at the PHC level in Kazakhstan.

METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study. A survey of primary healthcare workers was conducted to study the early diagnosis of CI in the elderly in the period from December 2019 to March 2020. The questionnaire was developed independently according to international finding and experiences and passed the validation process. The questionnaire included questions such as age, gender, nationality, education, specialty, work experience, conduct early diagnosis of CI or not, what methods respondents know, time available for admission for early diagnosis, desire to learn early diagnosis methods, and the region of residence.

RESULTS: The total number of respondents was 823. To the question, “Do you check older patients for early cognitive impairment?” 335 (40.7%) answered “no.” To the question “Do you have time to use methods for the early diagnosis of cognitive impairment in the elderly during admission?” “no” – 354 (43%). To the question “Would you like to learn methods for the early diagnosis of cognitive impairment in the elderly?” The answer was “yes” 759 (92.2%) of respondents. This study reveals that the presence of time during admission, the region of residence, and the desire to study affect whether elder people check for early CI or not, in turn, specialty, education, gender, nationality, age, and work experience do not affect. We have identified a relationship of age, region of residence with the availability of time during admission to use methods for early diagnosis of CI, while it was absent with work experience. The region of residence, the availability of time during admission, and education influenced the respondents’ desire to learn early diagnosis methods, while age and work experience did not.

CONCLUSION: The problem of early diagnosis of CI in the elderly at the PHC level is relevant and not fully understood. Early detection of CI at the PHC level is a key element in the fight against such a serious condition as dementia.