Table 2 Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of study participants toward MCI detection and management (n = 1253)

Knowledge item

Correct (%)

Incorrect (%)

Unsure

(%)

MCI prevalence in residents over 60 years

33.4%

66.6%

0

Risk factors affecting cognitive function (Total)

29.6%

70.4%

0

Risk 1—lack of exercise

81.1%

18.9%

0

Risk 2—hearing loss

80.4%

19.6%

0

Risk 3—depression

89.5%

10.5%

0

Risk 4—moderate alcohol consumption

33.5%

66.5%

0

MCI diagnostic criteria

28.6%

47.9%

23.5%

Referral for MCI diagnosis

37.0%

55.1%

7.9%

MCI screening tool

34.7%

41.0%

24.3%

Prognosis of MCI

16.6%

52.4%

31.0%

MCI conversion rate to dementia

19.5%

43.6%

36.9%

MCI interventions (Total)

13.7%

86.3%

0

Aerobic exercise

82.0%

18.0%

0

Mediterranean diet

55.0%

45.0%

0

Music

83.6%

16.4%

0

Social activities

88.3%

11.7%

0

Effectiveness of Donepezil

40.4%

59.6%

0

All knowledge items

0.2%

12.6%

0

Total score (Mean ± SD) of knowledge: 54.51 ± 18.18

Attitudes item

Strongly agree (%)

Agree  (%)

Neither (%)

Disagree (%)

Strongly disagree (%)

MCI is not a disease, but a degenerative ageing process

2.7%

25.7%

33.5%

32.1%

6.0%

There are more advantages than disadvantages to finding out if someone has MCI

12.7%

54.8%

26.6%

3.8%

2.1%

All patients suspected of MCI should undergo a diagnostic evaluation

9.9%

53.2%

31.1%

4.3%

1.5%

Early recognition and management can delay the progression to Alzheimer’s disease

12.5%

56.3%

27.5%

2.1%

1.6%

There are more advantages than disadvantages to manage MCI patients with medicine

6.5%

42.6%

42.8%

6.1%

2.0%

There are more advantages than disadvantages to manage MCI patients with non-pharmaceutical methods

9.7%

53.7%

32.7%

2.4%

1.5%

Patients with dementia can be a drain on medical and social resources

5.1%

34.1%

44.3%

14.3%

2.2%

Disclosure of disease could cause stress and frustration to patients and their families

3.3%

35.2%

47.7%

11.7%

2.1%

Disclosure of disease could cause embarrassment or discomfort for doctors

2.7%

22.6%

42.5%

29.0%

3.2%

Being diagnosed with MCI could provide some hope for patients compared with being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

3.7%

42.1%

43.9%

8.5%

1.8%

MCI detection and management provide no economic benefits

6.0%

39.2%

43.2%

9.8%

1.8%

It’s GPs responsibility to recognise MCI in the primary care setting

5.6%

45.8%

39.1%

6.5%

3.0%

It’s GPs responsibility to manage MCI in the primary care setting

6.1%

46.0%

38.5%

6.7%

2.7%

Total score (Mean ± SD) of attitudes: 57.31 ± 7.43

Practice item

MCI alerting practice

Yes (%)

No (%)

Unsure (%)

Taking memory disorder as the criteria for MCI detection

42.8%

38.6%

18.6%

Taking psychiatric symptoms as the criteria for MCI detection

40.4%

35.0%

24.6%

Total score (Mean ± SD) of alerting practice: 52.39 ± 36.44

MCI confirmation practice

Always (%)

Usually (%)

Sometimes (%)

Seldom (%)

Never

(%)

Not Applicable (%)

I would ask if a patient has Alzheimer’s` disease family history

18.1%

24.3%

29.3%

20.2%

4.6%

3.5%

I would detect MCI risk factors

12.5%

19.2%

31.2%

24.0%

8.5%

4.6%

I would utilise the MCI screening methods

9.6%

13.7%

25.1%

26.5%

19.1%

6.0%

I would get specialist advice for final diagnosis by transference

15.1%

26.8%

28.2%

18.8%

7.1%

4.0%

Total score (Mean ± SD) of confirming practice: 49.41 ± 26.45

MCI management practice

Always (%)

Usually (%)

Sometimes (%)

Seldom (%)

Never

(%)

Not Applicable (%)

I would discuss the probable diagnosis with the patient

7.0%

11.9%

28.4%

27.5%

17.3%

7.9%

I would discuss the probable diagnosis with the family

11.1%

20.3%

29.5%

22.8%

10.1%

6.2%

I would coordinate support services

9.6%

17.7%

31.4%

26.7%

9.3%

5.3%

I would prescribe medications

5.1%

8.4%

26.9%

28.3%

22.5%

8.8%

I would provide non-pharmacological interventions

9.5%

17.5%

30.5%

27.0%

9.9%

5.6%

Total score (Mean ± SD) of managing practice: 48.35 ± 17.63

Summed average score (Mean ± SD) of practice: 50.05 ± 19.80