Table 2.
Summary of results of survey and comparison of answers between 2006 and 2013 cohorts
| Focus of question | 2006 cohort n correct (%) | 2013 cohort n correct (%) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge questions | |||
| Prevalence of delirium in acutely admitted patients | 434 (56) | 986 (82) | <0.01 |
| Essential diagnostic criteria (DSM) | |||
| Acute onset | 682 (89) | 1,051 (87) | 0.41 |
| Inattention | 249 (34) | 594 (50) | <0.01 |
| Disorientation | 116 (15) | 200 (17) | 0.39 |
| Agitation | 360 (47) | 619 (52) | 0.06 |
| Altered arousal | 388 (45) | 533 (45) | 0.96 |
| Visual hallucination | 463 (62) | 857 (72) | <0.01 |
| Altered sleep wake cycle | 388 (52) | 566 (47) | 0.03 |
| Altered mood | 537 (72) | 869 (73) | 0.89 |
| Disorganised thinking | 116 (15) | 380 (32) | <0.01 |
| Have you used a validated assessment tool for delirium? | 64 (9) | 407 (35) | <0.01 |
| Understanding risk of dementia following delirium | 532 (69) | 904 (76) | <0.01 |
| Understanding risk of institutionalisation following delirium | 509 (66) | 767 (64) | 0.35 |
| Understanding risk of death following delirium | 474 (62) | 757 (63) | 0.47 |
| Understanding that delirium is under-diagnosed | 634 (81) | 434 (87) | <0.01 |
| Understanding that delirium is partly preventable | 449 (58) | 1,047 (80) | <0.01 |
| Awareness that benzodiazepines are not first line treatment in delirium | 561 (72) | 886 (82) | <0.01 |
| Attitude questions | |||
| Self-rated confidence in delirium diagnosis | 239 (21) | 399 (36) | <0.01 |
| Self-rated confidence in delirium management | 686 (31) | 1,015 (33) | 0.22 |
| Perception of drug overuse due to staffing constraints | 637 (82) | 948 (79) | 0.09 |
Percentages calculated using denominator of completed answers. Answers in relation to the Attitude Questions refer to participants reporting ‘Strongly agree’ or ‘Agree’.