Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1436 43 Jan Luzny 1. Dept. of Psychogeriatry, Mental hospital Kromeriz , Kromeriz, Czech Republic ; 2. Dept. of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University , Olomouc, Czech Republic. Iva Holmerova 3. Center of Longevity, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague , Czech Republic. Petr Wija 3. Center of Longevity, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague , Czech Republic. Igor Ondrejka 4. Dept. of Psychiatry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava , Slovak Republic. 2015 10 15 The goal of the study is to evaluate the sensitivity of Czech physicians to the early diagnosis of dementia in patients with memory impairment.A retrospective observational study was designed. We have reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who have been hospitalized for the first time due to dementia of any type at the Kromeriz Mental hospital from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 (24-month period). Pluralistic methods combining the qualitative and quantitative approach were used in this study.Dementia of any type was diagnosed in 125 patients in the monitored period. The mean time between patient memory complaints and his / her admission to our facility for their first hospitalization due to dementia was 7.1 years (+- 3.7 years). Most patients with dementia had no prior outpatient treatment of their memory impairment (56.2%); a minority of patients (43.8%) had treatment of their memory impairment by an outpatient physician.The sensitivity of Czech physicians to the early diagnosis of dementia is very low. Any delay in starting the treatment of dementia means a worsened effectiveness of this treatment, a worsened quality of life of patients with dementia and their caregivers. Our recommendations for both the early diagnosis and treatment of dementia should be involved in guidelines and should become a part of the pregraduate and postgraduate education of all physicians. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3866 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3866/3529