ABSTRACT Background Treatable dementia refers to cognitive impairment caused by reversible or significantly improvable medical conditions, such as endocrine disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and head trauma. Distinguishing these conditions from neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia) and vascular dementia is essential for timely intervention. As initial assessments often fall to non‐specialist physicians, their level of understanding plays a crucial role. Objective To assess the awareness and diagnostic understanding of treatable dementia among non‐specialist physicians in Japan. Methods An anonymous online survey was conducted among approximately 2,800 physicians affiliated with the Japan Community Healthcare Organization, including junior residents. Dementia specialists answered only an initial item; other respondents completed a detailed questionnaire. Demographics, board certification, and self‐reported familiarity with treatable dementia were analyzed using chi‐square and Kruskal–Wallis tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results Among 175 respondents, 160 were included in the final analysis (response rate: Approximately 6.3%). Participants were 71.9% male, with an average of 25.4 years of clinical experience. Overall, 54.4% reported familiarity with treatable dementia, with substantial variation by certification. Misconceptions were frequent: 18.8% misclassified Alzheimer's disease as treatable, and others incorrectly listed delirium or neurodegenerative diseases. Board certification correlated more strongly with accurate identification than years of experience. Only 47% of non‐specialists correctly identified the concept, and many reported dementia encounters without sufficient understanding. Referral pathways were often unclear, and educational opportunities were limited. Conclusion Significant knowledge gaps exist among non‐specialist physicians, underscoring the need for structured education and clearer referral systems to improve diagnostic accuracy and outcomes.
Makishi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.