Assessment of the Need to Use Short Cognitive Tests for French General Practitioners/Family Doctors

Assessment of the Need to Use Short Cognitive Tests for French General Practitioners/Family Doctors

The prevalence of cognitive disorders is constantly increasing, with 1.2 million patients affected in France in 2016. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death. In the absence of available treatment, systematic screening is not recommended. However, cognitive evaluation is recommended to maintain a level of autonomy for the patient at home. Targeted screening is the responsibility of the general practitioner. The latest recommendations from the HAS (2011) highlight the use of the MMSE as a first-line approach, there are no recommendations regarding short tests. Early cognitive assessment is limited by the time required to perform the tests and the knowledge about the available tools. The Codex is a short test, its sensitivity (92%) and specificity (85%) place it among the most discriminatory scores. It is underutilized in France. The objective of this thesis is to assess the training needs of general practitioners in short tests.

Inclusion Criteria:

• General practitioners of the AURA Region, in activity, university supervisor or not, trained or not trained in geriatrics.

Exclusion Criteria:

• General practitioners with exclusive practices in pediatrics, gynecology, aesthetics, rehabilitation, and homeopathy.