The level of understanding of alzheimer’s disease among medical and physiotherapy students in Türkiye

Aim: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by significant memory loss and cognitive decline. Early medical education plays a critical role in equipping future healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge to diagnose and manage such disorders. This study examines and compares the knowledge and attitudes toward Alzheimer’s disease among first- and second-year medical and physiotherapy students. Identifying knowledge gaps within these groups can help shape targeted educational interventions and better prepare future healthcare professionals to manage AD effectively. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted involving 149 students from the medicine and physiotherapy departments. The Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were used to assess participants' knowledge and attitudes toward Alzheimer’s disease. Participants, aged 18–22, completed a structured questionnaire, and data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Medical students scored significantly higher than physiotherapy students on both the ADKS and the DAS, indicating a greater understanding and more positive attitudes toward Alzheimer’s disease. The mean ADKS score was 14/22 for medical students and 12/22 for physiotherapy students, while the mean DAS scores were 14.22 and 13.14, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for enhanced educational interventions in physiotherapy programs to bridge the knowledge gap in dementia care. Strengthening dementia-related training is essential for all healthcare students to ensure they are adequately prepared to manage Alzheimer’s disease in their future practice.