Citation

Turnbull Q, Wolf AMD, Holroyd S. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry Neurol. 2003; 16(2): 90-93.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0891988703016002005

PMID

12801158

Abstract

This study expands on previous research regarding attitudes of older adults toward disclosure of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two hundred patients 65 years or older completed a questionnaire assessing opinions about being told the diagnosis of AD versus cancer. Most responded they wanted to be told if they had AD or terminal cancer (92% for AD, 86.5% for cancer, P =.06). Those with personal experience with AD were significantly less likely to want to know themselves if they had AD than were those without personal experience (P <.0001). A variety of reasons were given for wanting to be told the diagnosis of AD, including a small minority (1.7%) who would consider suicide. Although these results appear to support recent American Medical Association guidelines favoring disclosure of a dementia diagnosis, complex issues remain. Further research is needed to develop guidelines for physicians in disclosing dementia diagnoses that includes outcome studies of disclosure to patients.

Language: en

Keywords

Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Attitude to Health; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Truth Disclosure