HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Carpenter, B. Articles by Dave, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Carpenter, B. Articles by Dave, J.

Disclosing a Dementia Diagnosis: A Review of Opinion and Practice, and a Proposed Research Agenda

Correspondence: Address correspondence to Brian Carpenter, PhD, Department of Psychology, Campus Box 1125, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130. E-mail: bcarpenter{at}wustl.edu

Purpose: The ethical and practical issues in disclosing a dementia diagnosis remain subjects of some debate. In this review of the literature we document previous opinion and practice in the area of diagnostic disclosure. Design and Methods: We identified sources for this review with a MEDLINE and PsycINFO database search, followed by collection of additional articles from reference lists. Results: Across sources we were able to identify a broad list of arguments both for and against diagnostic disclosure. We briefly discuss some of the ethical principles that undergird those reasons. Implications: Practice guidelines and professional opinion regarding disclosure appear to depart from the actual experience reported by clinicians, patients, and family members. At a more detailed level, process issues in disclosure, such as who is told, how and what they are told, and the impact of disclosure, are poorly understood. Sensitivity to individual differences may promote an optimal approach to disclosure. Research in this area is sparse and often contradictory, and throughout the review we propose research questions that, when answered, could clarify issues in disclosure that are essential to sound dementia care.

Key Words: Dementia • Diagnostic disclosure • Ethics • Patient education

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M-L Laakkonen, M M Raivio, U Eloniemi-Sulkava, M Saarenheimo, M Pietila, R S Tilvis, and K H Pitkala How do elderly spouse care givers of people with Alzheimer disease experience the disclosure of dementia diagnosis and subsequent care? J. Med. Ethics, June 1, 2008; 34(6): 427 - 430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Eichler, C. Scrabal, J. Steurer, and E. Mann Preventive health risk appraisal for older people and impact on GPs' patient management: a prospective study Fam. Pract., December 1, 2007; 24(6): 604 - 609. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Vernooij-Dassen, E. Derksen, P. Scheltens, and E. Moniz-Cook Receiving a diagnosis of dementia: The experience over time Dementia, August 1, 2006; 5(3): 397 - 410. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. A. Mountain Self-management for people with early dementia: An exploration of concepts and supporting evidence Dementia, August 1, 2006; 5(3): 429 - 446. [Abstract] [PDF]