[Disclosing a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease].
How many practitioners do inform their patients about the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease? Does this announcement increase the risk of depression and/or suicide or in the contrary the compliance to the care? Do the caregivers want that the information will be gave to their parents? In the case where the caregivers could present Alzheimer's disease, do they want to know their diagnosis? The arguments pro- or contra- the announcement of the diagnosis to the patients are discussed then a strategy of announcement is proposed in order to give a clear message to the patient, his family and caregivers. A pluridisciplinary approach is essential. Empathy is the optimal professional attitude in front of the emotional reactions secondary to the announcement. The announcement of the diagnosis produces rather a positive impact but the risks have to be appreciated and controlled. The announcement of the diagnosis represents a comprehensive medical act which demands a technical approach.
Pepersack
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T
Clinique de Gériatrie, Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles. tpepersa@ulb.ac.be
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014342:Truth Disclosure