title: Lying in dementia care: an example of a culture that deceives in people's best interests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deceiving, bending the truth and being dishonest are all terms used for the act of lying. The use of deception in health settings has a rich cross-cultural history. In relation to dementia care, first, Deceptive practices in managing a family member with Alzheimer's disease. Symbolic Interaction, 17(1), 21-36) distinguished between four kinds of lies used by staff: 'going along with a misperception', 'with-holding the truth', 'little white lies' and 'use of tricks'. This article examined the issue of deception, developing a questionnaire to investigate attitudes towards lying to people with dementia. Secondly, information on the use of lies was presented within a workshop to determine whether it would lead to attitude change.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a two-phased design. The first phase involved developing a 16-item questionnaire. The second phase validated the use of the questionnaire through a workshop; therapists' responses to a teaching programme were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The psychometric properties of the questionnaire are reported. Following the workshop, participants were found to have a more positive attitude towards the use of lies. The reasons underpinning changes in attitude are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study contributes to a more informed understanding regarding both the definition and use of lies. On the whole, participants developed a less generic perspective about lying, becoming more supportive of lies when used in specific situations in the best interests of the recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elvish
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D008192:Deception; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure