The Gerontologist
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Connell, C. M
Right arrow Articles by Hudson, M. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Connell, C. M
Right arrow Articles by Hudson, M. L.
The Gerontologist 44:500-507 (2004)
© 2004 The Gerontological Society of America

Attitudes Toward the Diagnosis and Disclosure of Dementia Among Family Caregivers and Primary Care Physicians

Cathleen M Connell, PhD1,, Linda Boise, PhD2, John C. Stuckey, PhD3, Sara B. Holmes, MPH1 and Margaret L. Hudson, MPH1

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:


Home page
DementiaHome page
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]


Home page
GerontologistHome page
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]


Home page
AM J ALZHEIMERS DIS OTHER DEMENHome page
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]


Home page
BMJHome page
Minerva
BMJ, September 11, 2004; 329(7466): 632 - 632.
[Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 2004 by The Gerontological Society of America.