Should dementia patients be informed about their diagnosis?
Current government policy encourages service users to be involved as equal members of the interprofessional care team. This goal is compromised in the care of people with dementia if they are not informed of their diagnosis. This paper looks at recent research both for and against disclosure, and argues in favour of breaking the news in a supportive way.
Biernacki
Claire
C
Kingsway Hospital, Southern Derbyshire Mental Health NHS Trust, Derby.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000941:ethics; D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000941:ethics; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics; D012944:Social Support; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics