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Background: Speech and language therapists (SLTs) play an important role in assessing and rehabilitating communication disorders in people with dementia, but there is evidence to suggest that they do not receive appropriate training to provide management and support during their training. Aim: To investigate the level of awareness and knowledge that practising SLTs from Brazil have about dementia and their role in the care of dementia through an online survey. Methods & Procedures: An online survey tool was developed to collect information from practising Brazilian SLTs regarding their knowledge about dementia, awareness about their role in the care of people with dementia, and opinions on how SLTs may be better prepared to work in the dementia field. The survey was disseminated via social media, websites, and e‐mail lists of researchers and stakeholders. Outcomes & Results: A total of 227 SLTs completed the survey. Participants showed good knowledge of dementia in general, while their answers were less accurate on primary progressive aphasia. Regarding the awareness by SLTs of their role in the care of people with dementia, most agreed or strongly agreed that SLTs could help people in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dementia (> 80%). However, fewer participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident in contributing to the treatment and diagnosis process of dementia (about 50%). To improve the training of SLTs in Brazil, most participants believed that it would be necessary to improve the teaching of dementia at the undergraduate speech and language therapy curriculum level and to develop recommendations or guidelines about speech and language therapy practice in dementia. Conclusions & Implications: The results of this survey point to a need for improvement in the knowledge and confidence of Brazilian SLTs about dementia. To reach this goal, targeted training courses and applied practice opportunities should be embedded within university curricula and training programmes. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Many studies confirm the importance of speech and language therapy in the non‐pharmacological treatment of people with dementia. However, other evidence suggests to a possible lack of training for Brazilian SLTs, especially in the curriculum of undergraduate courses. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: This study reveals that Brazilian SLTs have substantial knowledge of dementia and recognize the significance of their role in treating people with dementia. However, a minority expressed confidence in their ability to assess and treat people with dementia. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The findings of this research demonstrate that Brazilian SLTs have good knowledge of dementia and endorse their professional role in dementia care; however, they lack confidence in their own skills and expertise in diagnostic assessment and treatment of dementia. Interventions aimed at boosting the SLT's confidence level could lead to improved patients outcomes and overall quality of care within clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Communication disorders are a frequent problem among people with dementia and can negatively affect their lives. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) can improve the quality of life of dementia people if they are properly trained to intervene. This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness and knowledge that practicing SLTs from Brazil have about their role in the care of people with dementia, and to identify determinants of the awareness and knowledge. Method: We developed an online survey to collect information from the practicing Brazilian SLTs regarding clinical and demographic characteristics, knowledge about dementia (true or false questions), and awareness about their role in the care of people with dementia (sentences to rate in a likert scale). Uni and bivariate associations were then explored using Student´s t‐test, ANOVA and Pearson´s correlation test. Multiple regression analyses were conducted including the variables that presented p>0,2 in the bivariate analyses or that or considered relevant. Results: 227 participants were included in the study. Participants presented a greater knowledge of the general concepts of dementia, while the answers were less accurate in the statements about primary progressive aphasia (Figure 1). Regarding the awareness of SLTs about their role in the care of people with dementia, most of them agreed that SLTs might help people with dementia, but few of them answered to feel confident to assess and treat people with dementia (Figure 2). A significant model was estimated for the level of knowledge (F = 16.12; df = 3 and 223; p<0.001), which explained 16.7% of the variability (adjusted R² = 0.167), while the significant estimated model for the level of awareness (F = 24.6; df = 2 and 224; p<0.001) explained 17.3% of its variability (adjusted R² = 0.173) (Table 1). Conclusion: The knowledge and awareness about dementia among SLTs could be higher in many aspects. Also, they depend on each other and on the age of the professionals and their time of practice with dementia. The results suggest that if we improve awareness, we can improve knowledge and vice versa, and this must be considered when we plan actions to improve the education of those professionals in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]