ABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: La modificación de la capacidad civil es una medida de protección que implica un procedimiento judicial, del cual es necesario conocer algunos indicadores para facilitar su aplicación en una población tan vulnerable como en los pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer. Cuando no se conoce y no se protege adecuadamente a esta población pueden darse situaciones de riesgo que los profesionales de la salud deben evitar. Sujetos y métodos: Se diseñó una encuesta cerrada a cuidadores informales de enfermedad de Alzheimer, población general, estudiantes y profesionales sanitarios para determinar el grado de conocimiento del concepto de modificación de la capacidad civil. RESULTADOS: Total de 401 personas; 100 cuidadores, 117 personas de la población general, 128 estudiantes y 58 profesionales sanitarios. El 66,1% (265) fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 43,2 ± 0,9 años. La puntuación media de la encuesta fue de 7,7 ± 0,9. En los cuidadores fue de 7,5 ± 0,18, 6,9 ± 0,16 en población general, 8,4 ± 0,17 en estudiantes y 8,7 ± 0,20 en profesionales sanitarios (p = 0,000). El 78,8% de los sujetos encuestados no habían recibido información sobre las cuestiones legales de la demencia. En referente a los estudiantes no presentaron diferencias significativas en relación con los diferentes cursos (p > 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: El grado de conocimiento de la modificación de la capacidad civil y la legislación en relación con los aspectos legales relacionados con el deterioro cognitivo es bajo entre cuidadores, población general e incluso entre estudiantes del grado de medicina. Sería importante diseñar estrategias para mejorar el conocimiento, sobre todo en los futuros profesionales sanitarios
INTRODUCTION: Modification of legal capacity is a protective measure involving a judicial procedure; a deeper understanding of this concept is necessary for its execution in such vulnerable populations as patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Unawareness of a patient's legal capacity and failure to adequately protect them may give rise to situations of avoidable risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a closed survey for informal caregivers of patients with AD, the general population, medical students, and healthcare professionals to determine the degree of understanding of the concept of modified legal capacity. RESULTS: The survey was administered to a total of 401 individuals: 100 caregivers, 117 members of the general population, 128 medical student s, and 58 healthcare professionals. Women accounted for 66.1% of the sample (n= 265); mean age (SD) was 43.2 (0.9) years. The overall mean survey score was 7.7 (0.9). By group, caregivers scored 7.5 (0.18), the general population scored 6.9 (0.16), students scored 8.4 (0.17), and healthcare professionals scored 8.7 (0.20) (P = .000). Of all respondents, 78.8% had not received information on legal issues related to dementia. Among students, no significant differences in survey score were observed between members of different years (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a low level of understanding of modified legal capacity and of the legislation governing issues related to cognitive impairment among caregivers, the general population, and even medical students. It is important to design strategies to improve understanding of the concept, particularly among future healthcare professionals
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Alzheimer Disease , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data , Students, Medical/statistics & numerical data , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mental Competency/legislation & jurisprudence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Educational Status , Persons with Mental Disabilities/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Modification of legal capacity is a protective measure involving a judicial procedure; a deeper understanding of this concept is necessary for its execution in such vulnerable populations as patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Unawareness of a patient's legal capacity and failure to adequately protect them may give rise to situations of avoidable risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a closed survey for informal caregivers of patients with AD, the general population, medical students, and healthcare professionals to determine the degree of understanding of the concept of modified legal capacity. RESULTS: The survey was administered to a total of 401 individuals: 100 caregivers, 117 members of the general population, 128 medical students, and 58 healthcare professionals. Women accounted for 66.1% of the sample (n=265); mean age (SD) was 43.2 (0.9) years. The overall mean survey score was 7.7 (0.9). By group, caregivers scored 7.5 (0.18), the general population scored 6.9 (0.16), students scored 8.4 (0.17), and healthcare professionals scored 8.7 (0.20) (P=.000). Of all respondents, 78.8% had not received information on legal issues related to dementia. Among students, no significant differences in survey score were observed between members of different years (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a low level of understanding of modified legal capacity and of the legislation governing issues related to cognitive impairment among caregivers, the general population, and even medical students. It is important to design strategies to improve understanding of the concept, particularly among future healthcare professionals.
