LAUSR

To explore the public awareness and understanding of delirium and factors that prompt admission in patients presenting to hospital with delirium. Individuals responded to delirium due to a variety of symptoms and tolerated these symptoms over a range of times (from hours to weeks) before seeking medical help. Most patients received medical advice within 24 h of an identified change in state, although responders’ understanding of the change and general delirium awareness and knowledge was poor. Targeted delirium education and public awareness may be warranted to improve timely delirium care. To explore the recognition, response and understanding of delirium in families and carers of hospitalised patients. All adults with delirium admitted to an acute medical unit were included. Delirium was diagnosed by a specialist geriatrician. The responder who sought medical advice for each patient was interviewed using a delirium recognition questionnaire. Vital status was ascertained at four months. Sixty patients were included (mean age 85, SD 6.8 years). Reported symptoms included drowsiness and lack of responsiveness, though these were less commonly recognised as being due to delirium. 76% received medical advice within 24 h, although two responders took > 1 week. One-third of responders had never heard of delirium. Delirium knowledge among responders was variable. Overall awareness and knowledge of delirium was poor. Community delirium education and public health initiatives may improve rapidity of recognition, delirium assessment, and potentially health outcomes.