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Table 1 Rotated factor loadings and unique variances from principal-component factor analysis

From: General practitioners’ attitudes towards early diagnosis of dementia: a cross-sectional survey

Items “A timely diagnosis …

Factor 1

Factor 2

Uniqueness

Mean scores (SD)

Enablers of early dementia recognition

 It is important to look actively for early signs of dementia

0.69

−0.08

0.51

3.66 (0.58)

 The early recognition of dementia usually serves the welfare of the patient

0.72

−0.12

0.46

 The early recognition of dementia usually serves the welfare of the patient’s relatives.

0.47

−0.12

0.77

 The present treatment options with anti-dementia drugs usually have a positive influence on the course of the disease

0.41

0.08

0.83

 With a timely diagnosis GPs/patients may take actions to improve disease outcome.

0.57

0.06

0.67

 A timely diagnosis may delay institutionalization

0.58

0.00

0.67

 With a timely diagnosis dangerous and difficult situations can be reduced

0.66

−0.04

0.56

 A timely diagnosis may enable planning for the future, organize support and care

0.73

−0.11

0.46

 A timely diagnosis may minimize the strain and insecurity of patients and their informal family caregivers

0.68

−0.17

0.51

 With a timely diagnosis patients may make appropriate legal arrangements

0.54

−0.09

0.70

Barriers to early dementia recognition

 Patients with dementia can be a drain on resources that should be used for late stage dementia patients

−0.40

0.45

0.63

2.47 (0.59)

 Concern about possible burden or stigmatization of patients with diagnosis

−0.40

0.54

0.55

 Embarrassment or discomfort in disclosing the diagnosis to the patient or family

−0.05

0.54

0.71

 Time constraints in carrying out the necessary procedures to diagnose dementia

0.01

0.59

0.65

 Inadequate financial remuneration hinders diagnosis

0.30

0.45

0.71

 A timely diagnosis may increase suicide risk

0.05

0.53

0.71

 Patients or families do not feel so much psychological strain as to need a diagnosis

−0.36

0.49

0.63

 A timely diagnosis is linked to a lot of paperwork

0.07

0.59

0.65

Providing a patient with a dementia diagnosis is providing a diagnosis that is not clinically actionable

−0.23

0.26

0.88

3.03 (1.02)

Managing dementia is more often frustrating than rewarding

−0.10

0.28

0.91

2.49 (1.03)

  1. Most variables of the first factor loaded substantially onto only one factor. From the variables loading positively onto the second factor, 3 variables also loaded negatively onto the first factor. Further, there were two items that did not fit well in the solution (“Managing dementia is more often frustrating than rewarding” and “Providing a patient with a dementia diagnosis is providing a diagnosis that is not clinically actionable”). Mean scores represent the mean agreement in responses for each scale, with 1 indicating a low agreement and 5 the highest possible agreement. Agreement is represented by the percentage of mean scores higher than 3 across responding GPs