Zdrojový dokument:IV. Mezinárodní konference : kvalita a její perspektivy
Název akce4th International Conference Quality and Its Perspectives, with the subtitle: Assisting Professions through Time (April 19, 2017)
Abstrakt:
Introduction: Dementia is not a disease but a collection of symptoms resulting from damage
to the brain. These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions. It is generally
assumed caregiver’s better knowledge of the symptomatology and symptoms result in a better
quality of care.
Objective: To assess the knowledge about the causes and symptoms of dementia in a selected
sample of family members of seniors with dementia and in non-medical healthcare personnel
caring for seniors with dementia at geriatric-psychiatric wards.
Method: A questionnaire-based survey applied to a selected group of family members and to
non-medical workers (questionnaire by the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie in Montréal).
Results: Younger age lay persons (p = 0.0012) and relatives in a straight line of the elderly
showed better knowledge of dementia (p = 0.0002). The relatives’ satisfaction with care did not
correlate with their knowledge of the causes and symptoms of dementia (p = 0.5899). The
relatives’ gender did not show a statistically significant correlation with knowledge (p = 0.937).
However, women showed better knowledge from the objective point of view. In the sample of
non-medical professionals, education correlated with the level of proven knowledge of the
causes and symptoms of dementia while respondents with university education demonstrated
better knowledge (p = 0.0016) as well as respondents with completed specialized education on
dementia (p = 0.0003). Family members of seniors with dementia did not give correct answers
to questions on the pathophysiology and symptoms related to the progression of dementia. Nonmedical
healthcare personnel did not have sufficient knowledge of the general aspects of
dementia and some behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Conclusion: The analysis of the family members’ and non-medical healthcare personnel's
knowledge about dementia proved statistically significant differences. The knowledge
demonstrated by the family members of patients with dementia differs depending on the age
and relation to the patient. The level of knowledge demonstrated by non-medical healthcare
personnel caring for patients with dementia differs by gender, their achieved level of
education and specialized education.