Dementia care in the Danube Region. A multi-national expert survey

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Shima Mehrabian
• Author: Larissa Schwarzkopf
• Author: Stefanie Auer
• Author: Iva Holmerova
• Author: Milica Kramberger
• Author: Marina Boban
• Author: Elka Stefanova
• Author: Catalina Tudose
• Author: Natalia Bachinskaya
• Author: Tibor Kovac
• Author: Petr Koranda
• Author: Todor Kunchev
• Author: Latchezar Traykov
• Author: Janine Diehl-Schmid
• Author: Katrina Milecka
• Author: Alexander Kurz
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Background: Dementia is a particularly severe societal challenge in several countries of the
Danube Region due to higher-than-average increment in population longevity, disproportionate
increase of the old-age dependency ratio, and selective outward migration of health care
professionals. A survey was conducted among dementia experts to obtain a deeper understanding
of the dementia care structures and services in this geographical area, and to identify
the educational needs of health care professionals, and the availability of assistive technology. ------
Subjects and methods: A standardized questionnaire was sent out to 15 leading dementia
experts/clinicians in 10 Danube Region countries inquiring about professional groups
involved in dementia care, availability and reimbursement of services, inclusion of dementia
in professional education and training, acceptability of Internet-based education, and availability
of assistive technology. The authors are the survey respondents. -----
Results: The majority of individuals with dementia receive care in the community rather
than in institutions. The roles of medical specialties are disparate. General practitioners
usually identify dementia symptoms while specialists contribute most to clinical diagnosis
and treatment. Health care professionals, particularly those who work closely with patients
and carers, have limited access to dementia-specific education and training. The greatest need
for dementia-specific education is seen for general practitioners and nurses. An Internetbased
education and skill-building program is considered to be equivalent to traditional faceto-
face but offer advantages in terms of convenience of access. Assistive technology is
available in countries of the Danube Region but is significantly underused. -----
Conclusion: Dementia care in the Danube Region can be improved by an educational and
skill-building program for health care professionals who work in the frontline of dementia
care. Such a program should also attempt to enhance interdisciplinary and intersectorial
collaboration, to intensify the interaction between primary care and specialists, and to
promote the implementation of assistive technology.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
• Numbering: vol. 15, pp. 2503-2511
• p-ISSN: 1176-6328
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S161615
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:427257
• Publication: 2019-08-29
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S161615
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 10:37:22