| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Correspondence: Address correspondence to Cathleen M Connell, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029. E-mail: cathleen{at}umich.edu
Purpose: This study examined attitudes of caregivers and physicians toward assessing and diagnosing dementia, with an emphasis on how a diagnosis is disclosed. Design and Methods: Seventeen focus group interviews were conducted with caregivers or physicians from three sites; 52 caregivers participated in nine interviews (three each at the three sites), and 39 physicians participated in eight interviews (three each at two sites; two at one site). Structured interview protocols were used to assess diagnostic disclosure, first reactions, and suggestions for improving the diagnostic process. Results: Caregivers recounted a highly negative emotional response to the disclosure, whereas many physicians reported that families handled the information well. Caregivers expressed a range of preferences for how the diagnosis should have been disclosed, from a direct approach to having the physician ease them into the results. Implications: Whenever possible, physicians should consult with the patient and family at the outset of the diagnostic process to better understand their preferences for diagnostic disclosure. Addressing diagnostic disclosure as part of physician education programs on dementia is recommended.
Key Words: Alzheimer's disease • Disclosure • Qualitative methods • Focus group interviews
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  E. Moniz-Cook, J. Manthorpe, I. Carr, G. Gibson, and M. Vernooij-Dassen Facing the future: A qualitative study of older people referred to a memory clinic prior to assessment and diagnosis Dementia, August 1, 2006; 5(3): 375 - 395. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. F. Mahoney, J. Cloutterbuck, S. Neary, and L. Zhan African American, Chinese, and Latino Family Caregivers' Impressions of the Onset and Diagnosis of Dementia: Cross-Cultural Similarities and Differences Gerontologist, December 1, 2005; 45(6): 783 - 792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. Cantegreil-Kallen, C. Turbelin, E. Olaya, T. Blanchon, F. Moulin, A.-S. Rigaud, and A. Flahault Disclosure of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in French genral practice American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, July 1, 2005; 20(4): 228 - 232. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Minerva BMJ, September 11, 2004; 329(7466): 632 - 632. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
