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Master’s courses on better dementia care for family physicians, a challenging option for GPs !

Amit GIBORI, Hanny YESHUA and Yael GILERMAN

As  the  number  of  patients  with  dementia  is  increasing, better awareness  on  how  to  treat  them best is  important.I participated in  a  60 ECTS, web-based learning  in Karolinska  Institutet Stockholm for  2  years.. It  includes :  cognitive  and  emotional  functions  of  the  brain;  behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia; the process  for  a  suspicion of  dementia; treatment, rehabilitation methods  and  palliative care. You have  access  to  the  tremendous  library  and  to all  journals  related  to  dementia. As  the  physicians applying  are  from various countries  and  different  medical working  organizations, it  allows  a  larger  view  on  different care  systems  for  people  with  dementia  over  Europe  and  farther. Strength of  the  course is  the  great flexibility in  time to  take  part  and  the regular  interactivity in the  web online sessions ; limitations  are a  good  fluent  English needed , the  necessary time-consuming amount for  active  participation and  the high fees.The  innovative  aspect is  that  this  course  can be done from  home  and  allows  you  whenever to  study,  to write, but  some  hours  are  fixed for  online exchanges. This  master’s  degree  is  run  every  year  since  more  than  8  years.  The examination consists  of  evaluation  during  the  different  courses ( individual  or  group  works assigned  and  noted)  and  all participants must  report on  one  specific topic related  to  their  work  for  people  with  dementia and  this  has  to be  presented orally in the  institution. After graduation, all  GPs receive the title : “Silvia Doctor” and you  are  encouraged to  continue  in  your  country  to  promote  the best medical treatment  and  care  options.The  fruitful contact with  colleagues from other  countries and the  exchange  in  experiences is stimulating . Myself am dealing  now  mainly  with  dementia  and  palliation and  we  have established  medico-ethical consultations for  the  end  of life.Other  countries  have  similar certifications  and as  GPs  are visiting doctors  in  nursing  homes  for  people with  dementia, this  can be an added  value  to  become  the  medical coordinator.I  have  still  now contact  with colleagues and we  see us  often in international  congresses on  this  important  and  increasing  topic.