To cope with the increased future demand for dementia treatment, it will be necessary to build up the medical support system. Regional medical systems, in putting into practice treatment and care approaches that focus on maintaining patients’ ability to function in day-to-day life, will be required to provide a primarycare function, and this will be taken on by family physicians. Accordingly, with the aim of conducting exploratory research to elucidate which points family physicians consider to be difficult elements of dementia treatment and determining the background factors, a questionnaire was sent to 362 member physicians of the Sagamihara Medical Association. The response rate was 35.63%, or 129 responses.

　Many of the responding family physicians felt that medical treatment and care facilities within Sagamihara City were insufficient, and they were also conscious that they themselves were lacking in knowledge. Main factors leading family physicians to accept counter-referrals were "experience in dementia consultations and follow-up", "experience with home medical care for dementia", and "the fact that it is my patient".

Family doctors that did not accept counter-referrals cited difficulty in "matters involving dementia treatment", "treatment guidance for patients", and“ gathering care information". As a background factor, the family physicians were aware of their own lack of knowledge; however, whether or not a family physician had attended professional training seminars for dementia care only led to a significant difference in three response items: "ability to examine patients with moderate symptoms or above", "ability to explain symptoms", and "possibility of consulting with a specialist". No significant correlation was found between a physician's amount of experience with regional cooperative clinical paths for other illnesses and an increase in the tendency to accept counter-referrals for dementia.

　The results of this research indicate a need to construct a network that supports family physicians and local healthcare staff and makes it easier for them to consult with dementia specialists.