Abstract

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

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale, Dementia Attitude Scale, knowledge assessment, physiotherapy students, medical students