General practitioners' knowledge of and attitudes towards prescribing psychoactive drugs in dementia care: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite their adverse effects, antipsychotics are frequently prescribed to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). At present, we do not have a good understanding of general practitioners' (GPs) current management of BPSD.

Aims

To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of GPs regarding the prescribing of psychoactive drugs in managing BPSD.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was adapted from a previous study and piloted with three GPs and was posted to a census sample of all GPs working in counties Cork and Kerry, Ireland. We collected and analysed both quantitative and qualitative data.

Results

Of the 456 eligible GPs who received the questionnaire, 168 GPs returned completed quest

SUBMITTER: Dhuny S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7477732 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature